Atiku Hails Court Ruling on ADC Leadership, Says Judgment Strengthens Democracy

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has praised the judiciary for affirming the leadership of David Mark as National Chairman of the party, describing the judgment as a victory for constitutional democracy and the rule of law.

Reacting to Thursday’s judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Atiku said the decision demonstrated the judiciary’s courage, independence and commitment to upholding the Constitution despite what he described as attempts by political actors to use the courts against the opposition.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the ruling reaffirmed the long-established legal principle that political parties are governed by their constitutions and that internal disputes should first be resolved through the mechanisms provided by the party.

According to him, the court was right in holding that the dispute over the ADC leadership was an internal party matter beyond the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court and that the plaintiffs failed to exhaust the party’s internal dispute resolution process or establish the legal standing required to institute the action.

“We commend Justice Liman for refusing to allow the judiciary to be converted into an extension of partisan political warfare,” the statement said.

Atiku further described the judgment as a reminder that justice would ultimately prevail over political desperation, alleging that there had been sustained efforts to weaken the opposition through proxy litigations and the manipulation of democratic institutions.

He maintained that the David Mark-led National Working Committee emerged through a lawful and transparent process in accordance with the party’s constitution, insisting that no amount of litigation could alter that position.

The former vice president called on ADC members to remain calm, united and focused on what he described as the broader task of offering Nigerians a credible political alternative ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He also urged party faithful to avoid triumphalism, saying the judgment should instead serve as a renewed commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and protecting the rule of law.

Atiku congratulated the party’s leadership under David Mark and expressed confidence that the ADC would remain united and focused on its preparations for the 2027 elections.

The Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Musa Liman, had earlier dismissed a suit filed by House of Representatives member Leke Abejide challenging the emergence of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as the ADC’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively, ruling that the matter was an internal affair of the party and therefore not justiciable.