The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has declared that the Nigerian judiciary is currently “on trial,” warning the Federal Government against orchestrating political manipulation ahead of the 2027 general elections. ​
His remarks followed a crucial victory at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which granted a stay of execution on a controversial Federal High Court judgment that had ordered the immediate deregistration of the ADC and four other political parties. ​The political landscape was thrown into volatility earlier on Monday when Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strip five parties of their official registration. ​
The initial ruling, prompted by a lawsuit filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators, cited a failure to meet constitutional vote thresholds in past elections. However, the legal blow was swiftly intercepted by the Court of Appeal, which brought the enforcement to a halt and preserved the status quo. ​
Reacting to the legal rollercoaster, Senator David Mark issued a stern statement through the party’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan. The former Senate President positioned the unfolding judicial drama as a test of Nigeria’s democratic integrity. ​”The judiciary is fundamentally on trial here. We must guard against any form of political manipulation aimed at shrinking the democratic space as we approach the 2027 elections.”
​Mark expressed firm confidence that the lower court’s decision would be permanently overturned upon a full review. He emphasized that attempting to deregister viable opposition parties via sudden judicial mandates undermines democratic pluralism and threatens the inclusivity of the upcoming electoral cycle. ​The attempt to dismantle the five political parties has generated widespread condemnation across Nigeria’s political spectrum.
Prominent opposition figures have heavily criticized the initial deregistration order, viewing it as an orchestrated attempt to weaken opposition coalitions. ​Even the electoral umpire, INEC, indicated it was caught off guard by the lower court’s heavy-handed ruling, subsequently supporting the stay of execution to avoid electoral chaos.
With the Court of Appeal intervening, the targeted parties have secured vital breathing room as the political machinery gears up for the 2027 polls.
