Ignatius Okorocha, Abuja
Worried by Justice Peter Lifu’s judgment invalidating Sen. David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a Forum of the African Democratic Congress gubernatorial candidates has condemned the ruling and sought the intervention of the International community.
Recall that Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court ,Abuja had in its judgment invalidated the leadership of Sen. David Mark of the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
The Forum had at a Press Conference on Thursday at the Party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, described the judgment as a dangerous assault on multi-party democracy and a threat to Nigetian’ s 2027 electoral process.
A former member of the house of Representatives and ADC kwara state gubernatorial candidates, Hon Zakari Mohammed who spoke on behalf of the forum urged the international Community to monitor the development and process leading to the 2027 general election.
He said “We call on the International Community, African Union, ECOWAS, United Nations, Commonwealth and Democratic Institutions Worldwide to Intervene Against the Growing Threat to Opposition Politics in Nigeria.
” We address you today on behalf of the Forum of African Democratic Congress (ADC) Gubernatorial Candidates across Nigeria, at a defining moment in the history of our democracy.
“We are compelled to speak out against the November 5, 2026 judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which nullified the leadership of the ADC under Senator David Mark and invalidated decisions taken under that leadership,
“This judgment has profound implications beyond the internal affairs of the ADC. It raises fundamental questions about judicial consistency, political participation, the independence of democratic institutions and the future of multiparty democracy in Nigeria.
“We consider the decision a grave assault on democratic freedoms and a development capable of destabilising the 2027 electoral process if its implications are not urgently addressed through lawful constitutional remedies.
“We hereby formally draw the attention of the international community to the unfolding developments in Nigeria.
” We call on: The United Nations Secretary-General and relevant democratic institutions of the United Nations, the African Union Commission and its Peace and Security Council, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
” The Commonwealth Secretariat. The European Union and European Parliament. The United States Government and the United Kingdom Government. International human rights organisations and democracy-monitoring institutions. International election observation organisations.
“We urge these institutions to closely monitor developments surrounding opposition political parties in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We specifically call on them to engage President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the relevant Nigerian authorities on the need to guarantee political pluralism, judicial independence, freedom of association and equal opportunities for all political parties.
“We are not inviting foreign governments to dictate Nigeria’s political choices or interfere in the legitimate judicial process.
“Rather, we are asking the international community to uphold the democratic commitments Nigeria has voluntarily undertaken and to ensure that the rights of Nigerian citizens to participate in free and competitive elections are protected.
“Nigeria cannot sign international democratic instruments, make commitments to democratic governance and subsequently treat those obligations as ceremonial documents.”
The Forum called on the appellate courts to urgently examine the judgment of Justice Peter Lifu and determine the issues raised in accordance with the Constitution, established judicial precedents and the rule of law.
It urged President Tinubu to create the environment that will guarantee free participation than harassment and muzzling of the opposition .
“You cannot demand democratic legitimacy while allowing an environment in which opposition parties face persistent uncertainty over their ability to organise and contest elections.”
For a better society
_______________________________
Follow us across our platforms:
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/championnewsonline/
Facebook – https://web.facebook.com/championnewsonline
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/champion-newspapers-limited/
https://x.com/championnewsng/
You can also like and comment on our YouTube videos.
https://youtu.be/QIBfD1tT80w?si=R4Qf3so2LxYu3GC2
