The Coalition for Democracy has warned that the Federal High Court judgment nullifying the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and decisions taken under it could have wider implications for opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The coalition called on opposition parties, civil society organisations, organised labour, the Nigerian Bar Association and the media to unite in defending political pluralism and democratic competition.
Its spokesperson, Salihu Lukman, made the call in a statement issued on Friday, describing the November 5 judgment as a dangerous development that could deepen concerns about the shrinking democratic space in Nigeria.
The coalition argued that the ruling against the ADC could set a precedent for other opposition parties, warning that political organisations should not be prevented from competing through what it described as institutional interference.
“The Coalition for Democracy considered Thursday’s Federal High Court judgment purporting to dissolve the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress and invalidate its presidential candidacy as a dangerous escalation in what appears to be a systematic campaign to eliminate credible political opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections,” Lukman said.
He recalled that the group had previously raised concerns about alleged attacks on opposition supporters, obstruction of political activities and the alleged use of state institutions against political opponents.
According to him, the latest judgment had given those concerns renewed urgency.
“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 aggrieved parties to seek legal redress, Lukman cautioned against situations in which court decisions could be perceived as instruments for suppressing political competition.
He argued that attempts to weaken opposition parties to secure electoral victories would affect not only the organisations involved but also the country’s democratic institutions.
“A government that cannot tolerate opposition has lost the moral authority to call itself democratic,” he declared.
Lukman also warned that restrictions on political competition could affect national stability, insisting that elections should remain the legitimate means through which political parties seek public support.
“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,” he said.
The coalition expressed solidarity with the ADC over its decision to challenge the judgment through the courts.
It urged other political parties and democratic institutions not to leave the defence of political pluralism to the ADC alone.
“An attack on one is an attack on all. We will resist it together,” Lukman added.
The Federal High Court judgment was delivered on Thursday by Justice Peter Lifu in Abuja in a suit filed by former ADC Deputy National Chairman, North-East, Nafiu Bala Gombe.
The court nullified the David Mark-led leadership structure and decisions taken under it, including the process that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
The ruling also affected the emergence of Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary and other party nominations made under the disputed leadership.
The ADC has rejected the decision, arguing that it conflicts with an earlier judgment delivered by Justice Musa Liman of the same court on July 2, 2026, which the party says affirmed the Mark-led leadership.
The party said it was awaiting the certified true copy of Justice Lifu’s judgment to establish its precise terms and scope, while preparing to pursue available legal remedies.
Atiku has also vowed to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal.
The Coalition for Democracy emerged from the G-100 Opposition Summit held in Abuja on August 31, 2026. According to its statement, 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 group says it was established to coordinate opposition parties around constitutional democracy, political pluralism, the rule of law and credible elections.
