NATIONAL Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has assured members, supporters and candidates of the party that the ADC will remain a registered political party and participate in the 2027 general elections despite Monday’s Federal High Court judgement that purportedly ordered its deregistration.
A press statement issued by Kola Ologbondiyan, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the ADC National Chairman, quoted Mark as giving the assurance on Monday in Abuja while receiving a delegation of ADC candidates who visited him following the ruling delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court.
Reacting to the judgment, the ADC chairman described the decision as a threat to Nigeria’s democratic system and expressed confidence that it would be overturned by higher courts.
According to him, the ruling was inconsistent with existing judicial proceedings, noting that the Court of Appeal had previously ordered a stay of proceedings in the matter and fixed October 27, 2027, for further hearing.
“The judgment cannot stand. It will be set aside because it does not pass the test of law and due process. Our democracy must be protected from actions that seek to undermine the constitutional rights of political parties and the choices available to Nigerians,” Mark said.
He described the judgement as “an arrow fired at the heart of Nigeria’s democracy,” arguing that the decision raised serious legal questions given the subsisting order of the appellate court.
The former Senate President urged party members and supporters across the country not to lose faith in the judicial process, stressing that the development represented only a temporary setback.
“The ADC will be on the ballot in 2027. I assure all our candidates, members, and supporters that this temporary setback will be overcome through the judicial process. We remain resolute and confident in the rule of law,” he stated.
Mark called on party faithful to remain calm, focused and committed to the party’s objectives, saying there was no cause for panic despite the uncertainty generated by the judgment.
He further reaffirmed the ADC’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and providing Nigerians with what he described as a credible political alternative ahead of the next general elections.
The court ruling, which reportedly affected the ADC and four other political parties, has sparked concerns among stakeholders about its potential implications for political pluralism and electoral participation in Nigeria.
However, ADC leaders insist that the matter remains subject to ongoing legal proceedings and have expressed confidence that the party’s status will ultimately be upheld by the courts.
