The African Democratic Congress (ADC) remains on the ballot for the 2027 elections, according to Senator David Mark, the party's National Chairman, who dismissed a Federal High Court judgment ordering the deregistration of the ADC and other parties as legally invalid. The ruling, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, was described by Mark as "an arrow fired at the heart of Nigeria's democracy" during a meeting with ADC candidates in Abuja on Monday. He pointed to a prior order by the Court of Appeal, which had issued a stay of proceedings and adjourned the case to October 27, 2027, questioning how a judgment could be delivered while that order was still in effect. Mark maintained that the recent decision lacked legal standing and would be overturned in higher courts. He urged ADC members, candidates, and supporters nationwide to remain calm and resolute, emphasizing that the party's participation in upcoming elections was secure. Kola Ologbondiyan, Mark's Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, confirmed the chairman's position, stating that the party was confident in the judicial process. Mark reiterated that the ADC would continue to operate without disruption, asserting that the rights of political parties and voters must be protected. The Court of Appeal's next hearing remains scheduled for October 27, 2027.
A Federal High Court issued a judgment that directly contradicts an existing appellate stay, raising questions about judicial coordination and the potential for legal chaos in party politics. Senator David Mark is using the inconsistency to position the ADC as a victim of institutional overreach, despite the party's minimal electoral presence. If lower courts can rule while appellate stays are active, every political party could face arbitrary deregistration. This undermines the predictability of Nigeria's electoral legal framework.
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