Former Anambra State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has reacted to the Federal High Court judgment nullifying the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President David Mark.
Obi expressed concern over the ruling, warning that uncertainty surrounding political parties and their candidates could create difficulties for Nigeria’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.
In a statement shared on his official X account on Thursday, November 5, 2026, the former Labour Party presidential candidate said he received the news with shock.
The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, had nullified the emergence of the Mark-led ADC leadership and invalidated decisions taken under the disputed leadership. The ruling also affected the party’s presidential primary, which produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as its candidate for the 2027 election.
Obi said he respected the authority of the judiciary to determine disputes according to the law, stressing that his concern was the timing and possible implications of the judgment.
“I do not challenge the ruling of the court. The court of law is constituted to determine disputes according to the law. My concern is that three months before a general election, it is in the public interest to have certainty,” he said.
He argued that prolonged uncertainty over party leadership and candidates shortly before an election could affect political participation and make it difficult for opposition parties to organise their campaigns effectively.
Obi also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of encouraging instability within opposition parties. He compared the situation to the leadership crisis that affected the Labour Party, which he previously represented in the 2023 presidential election.
However, he did not provide evidence to substantiate the allegation that the APC engineered the latest ADC dispute.
The NDC candidate further called on Nigerians and the judiciary to protect democratic institutions, insisting that opposition parties must be allowed to organise and compete without undue interference.
“One mark of democracy is that at all times, it is voters and not courts that choose leaders,” Obi stated.
He added that Nigeria must strengthen its democratic institutions, particularly amid military takeovers in some West African countries.
Obi also said that, if elected president, he would give special attention to ensuring that opposition parties remained stable and that their candidates were not excluded from electoral contests.
The ADC has rejected the judgment and announced plans to challenge it through available judicial processes. Atiku has also vowed to appeal the decision.
The case was instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former deputy national chairman of the ADC, who challenged the process through which the Mark-led leadership assumed control of the party.
The ruling has introduced fresh uncertainty into opposition preparations for the 2027 elections, with the ADC expected to pursue its legal options.