‘Don’t Despair Over Court Judgement, ADC Will Be On 2027 Ballot’ — David Mark Assures Supporters

The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has urged members, supporters and candidates of the party not to lose hope following Monday’s judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordering the deregistration of the party and four others.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, after Mark received a delegation of ADC candidates in Abuja, the former Senate President described the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu as “an arrow fired at the heart of Nigeria’s democracy” and insisted that the decision would not stand.

According to him, the party remains confident that the ruling would be overturned through the judicial process.

He argued that the Court of Appeal had earlier granted a stay of proceedings in the matter and fixed October 27, 2027, for further hearing, raising questions over the validity of a judgment delivered despite what he described as a subsisting appellate order.

“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 urged party faithful across the country to remain calm and focused, assuring them that the development would not stop the ADC’s preparations for the next general elections.

“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 added.

Mark also reaffirmed the party’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and presenting what he described as a credible political alternative ahead of the 2027 elections.

Monday’s ruling by Justice Lifu had ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC alongside Accord Party, Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), following a suit challenging their continued registration.

However, ADC maintains that legal proceedings remain active and insists the judgment would be challenged at higher courts.