Mark Slams FG After Appeal Court Reverses ADC Deregistration

Judiciary Under Spotlight as ADC Wins Temporary Legal Relief

The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark, has strongly criticized the Federal Government following a major legal victory for the opposition party after the Court of Appeal halted the execution of a judgment that ordered the deregistration of the ADC and four other political parties.

The appellate court’s decision comes barely a day after a Federal High Court in Abuja directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove the ADC, Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party, and Zenith Labour Party from its register for allegedly failing to meet constitutional requirements for political parties.

Appeal Court Faults Lower Court

In a unanimous ruling, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal led by Justice A.B. Mohammed granted a stay of execution on the controversial judgment and sharply criticized Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court for proceeding with the case despite an earlier appellate order directing him to suspend proceedings.

The appellate court described the action as a violation of judicial hierarchy and constitutional procedure, stressing that lower courts are obligated to obey orders issued by superior courts. The ruling effectively restores the legal status of the affected parties pending the determination of their appeals.

David Mark: “The Judiciary Is On Trial”

Reacting to the development during the ADC Strategic Communications Retreat in Abuja, Mark argued that the controversy has shifted attention away from the opposition and placed the judiciary itself under public scrutiny.

According to him, the actions surrounding the deregistration attempt have raised serious questions about judicial independence and due process in Nigeria’s democracy. He maintained that the ADC is not the institution under trial but rather the judiciary, whose credibility is now being tested before Nigerians.

Mark also questioned how a judge could issue a ruling affecting the future of a political party despite an existing Court of Appeal order suspending proceedings in the matter. He described the situation as unprecedented and warned that any attempt to manipulate judicial processes for political purposes could damage public confidence in democratic institutions.

Opposition Raises Alarm Over Political Interference

The former Senate President further accused the ruling government of attempting to weaken opposition parties ahead of future elections. He alleged that efforts to deregister opposition platforms were designed to distract Nigerians from governance challenges and reduce political competition.

Mark urged ADC members and supporters across the country to remain calm, assuring them that the party would continue to participate in the political process and remain on the ballot pending the final determination of the case.

The controversy has also triggered calls for disciplinary action against Justice Peter Lifu. Political stakeholders and civil society groups have urged the National Judicial Council (NJC) to investigate the circumstances surrounding the judgment, arguing that the alleged disregard for a subsisting Court of Appeal order could undermine confidence in the judiciary.

Several opposition figures have described the Appeal Court’s intervention as a victory for democracy and the rule of law, insisting that political parties must be allowed to compete freely within Nigeria’s democratic system.

With the Appeal Court’s stay of execution now in place, the ADC and the four other affected parties remain legally recognized by INEC pending the outcome of their substantive appeals. The case is expected to remain a major political and legal issue as preparations intensify for future elections in Nigeria.