APC tells ADC to fix its own crisis after court nullifies Mark-led leadership

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has told the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to settle its leadership fight instead of blaming the ruling party for a court judgment that nullified the ADC leadership led by former Senate President David Mark.

The judgment was delivered on Thursday by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja. According to Punch, the court held that the Mark-led National Working Committee emerged in a way that breached the ADC's constitution, the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution, following the resignation of former national chairman Ralph Nwosu.

The court also invalidated decisions taken by that leadership, including its planned 2027 presidential primary, which produced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its candidate, Punch reported. It directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognise those decisions.

What the APC is saying

In a statement on Friday, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka said the case was brought by aggrieved ADC national officers and had nothing to do with the ruling party.

Morka accused the ADC of taking opposite positions on the courts, praising judges when rulings go its way and alleging collusion when they do not. He described the party as one that cannot fix itself and so cannot be trusted to govern Nigeria.

"A party that cannot fix itself cannot possibly fix Africa's most important country," Morka said.

He also alleged that the Mark-led takeover was done to advance Atiku Abubakar's presidential ambition, in breach of the ADC's internal democracy. The APC advised the ADC to go on appeal if it disagrees with the judgment, rather than attack the ruling party or make statements that could stir trouble.

A separate ADC suit

Separately, Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is described as ADC National Chairman, reacted to a judgment in his own suit, No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, involving him, the ADC and four others. In a statement reported by Vanguard, he said the ruling confirmed that no party leader is above the party's constitution and that leadership must come through lawful processes, not imposition.

Gombe commended the judge for handling a politically sensitive case impartially, and said the ruling reassured ordinary Nigerians that the courts remain their last hope.

Punch reported that the ADC and some opposition parties had accused the APC of being behind the party's leadership crisis. The APC denies this.

What happens next

The ADC can challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal. Until then, INEC has been directed not to recognise the decisions of the Mark-led leadership, which leaves the party's 2027 plans and its candidate unsettled.