ADC Judgment Threatens All Opposition Parties, Coalition for Democracy Warns

The Coalition for Democracy has warned that the Federal High Court judgment nullifying the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) could threaten the survival of opposition parties and weaken Nigeria’s multiparty democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The coalition called on opposition parties, civil society organisations and other democratic institutions to unite in defence of political pluralism, describing the judgment as part of what it alleged was a growing effort to weaken credible opposition in the country.

In a statement issued on Friday, the group’s spokesperson, Salihu Lukman, said the ruling had intensified concerns about the shrinking democratic space, warning that other opposition parties could face similar challenges.

The coalition described Thursday’s judgment against the Senator David Mark-led ADC leadership as a dangerous development, arguing that it could affect the party’s ability to participate effectively in the 2027 elections.

Lukman recalled that the coalition had previously raised concerns about alleged attacks on opposition supporters, obstruction of political activities and the use of state institutions against political opponents.

He said the latest court decision had made those concerns more urgent, questioning whether opposition parties would be allowed to compete freely in future elections.

“When opposition parties are attacked on the streets, frustrated by state institutions, and threatened with elimination through judicial pronouncements, Nigerians must ask whether the ruling party still intends to face any meaningful opposition at the ballot box,” he said.

While acknowledging the independence of the judiciary and the right of parties to seek legal redress, Lukman cautioned against developments that could create the perception that judicial institutions were being used to weaken political competition.

He argued that any attempt to eliminate opposition parties through institutional means would affect more than the organisations directly involved, describing political pluralism as fundamental to Nigeria’s democracy.

“A government that cannot tolerate opposition has lost the moral authority to call itself democratic,” he declared.

The coalition also warned that restrictions on political competition could undermine national stability, insisting that citizens must have meaningful alternatives when choosing their leaders.

It maintained that electoral contests should remain the legitimate means of determining political leadership rather than what it described as institutional manipulation.

“The ballot must remain the battlefield of democracy. No political party should be allowed to achieve through institutional manipulation what it fears it cannot achieve through the votes of Nigerians,” Lukman said.

The group expressed solidarity with the ADC over its decision to challenge the judgment through the appropriate legal channels. It urged other political parties, organised labour, the Nigerian Bar Association, the media and civil society organisations to support peaceful and lawful efforts to protect political pluralism.

“Let it be known: the Coalition for Democracy will not stand by while Nigeria is reduced to a democracy without opposition, elections without alternatives, and ballots without genuine choices,” Lukman said.

He added, “An attack on one is an attack on all. We will resist it together.”

Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered the judgment on Thursday in a suit filed by a rival ADC faction led by Nafiu Bala Gombe against the David Mark-led leadership.

The ruling also affected the party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections, including its proposed joint presidential ticket involving former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi.

The ADC leadership and Atiku have rejected the judgment and indicated plans to appeal the decision.

The Coalition for Democracy emerged from the G-100 Opposition Summit held in Abuja on August 31, 2026. It comprises nine political parties and factions, including the ADC, Allied Peoples Movement, Democratic Leadership Alliance, National Rescue Movement, Nigeria Democratic Congress, a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, Peoples Redemption Party, Social Democratic Party and Youth Progressives Party.

The coalition says it was established to coordinate opposition parties around the defence of constitutional democracy, political pluralism, the rule of law and credible elections.