ADC group accuses FG of using judiciary to dismantle democracy

By Jude Opara

A group in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under the aegis of the United Friends for Atiku (UFA) has accused the federal government led by the All Progressives Congress (APC) of systematically using the judiciary to dismantle democracy in the country.

National leader of the group, Alhaji Aliyu Audu at a press conference on the heels of the Federal High Court, which reportedly sacked the ADC from participating in the 2027 general elections, warned that the country would be the worst for it, if the trend continues.

Aliyu said the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja—which invalidated the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and abruptly affected the party’s candidates, including the presidential nomination of former Vice President Atiku Abubaka signifies a dangerous escalation of the absurd in the nation.

He warned that the trend if unchecked, could lead to the total breakdown of democracy in the country.

“We are issuing a stern and unequivocal warning: If this blatant institutional takeover by the incumbent administration continues, we can see that we are staring at the imminent breakdown of democracy in Nigeria”.

However, the group who noted that their intervention does not in any way suggest that anyone or group should be seen to be above the law, argued that at the same time, those in authority should not be using national institutions to undermine the opposition.

“Our intervention today is not a declaration that political parties, leaders, or candidates are above the law, neither is it an argument that the Judiciary has abdicated its responsibility to adjudicate disputes. Rather, it is a solemn declaration that the administration of justice is being weaponised to execute a political agenda.

“Democracy is not merely the act of voting; it is the right to choose. An election stripped of formidable alternatives risks becoming an authoritarian selection process rather than a democratic choice”.

Aliyu further stated that the judiciary which occupies a unique position in every constitutional democracy, must not become an instrument of state capture.

“That responsibility demands extraordinary restraint, independence, and fidelity to the law. However, the consequential invalidation of the ADC leadership and its candidates’ nominations disenfranchises thousands of aspirants and millions of voters.

“When the courts are used to unnecessarily extinguish democratic possibilities, the Judiciary ceases to be the guardian of constitutional order and risks being seen as the gatekeeper of the incumbent’s political interests”.

He wondered why the case still lingers after an earlier judgement by Justice Musa Liman on July 2nd, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, which affirmed the David Mark-led leadership of the ADC.

The United Friends of Atiku used to opportunity to call on the international community to begin to show interest in the Nigerian politics, adding that playing the ostrich may spell doom for the nation’s democracy.