A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dele Momodu, has criticised the Federal High Court ruling that nullified the party’s leadership structure and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s emergence as its presidential candidate, insisting that President Bola Tinubu must be confronted rather than appealed to over the matter.
Momodu made the remarks while reacting to a video circulating on social media in which Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, appealed to the Tinubu administration not to undermine Nigeria’s democratic institutions following the court judgement.
Makinde, who is the 2027 presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), warned that political administrations would come and go, but Nigeria’s democratic institutions must be protected. He urged the Federal Government not to weaken the judiciary, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) or take steps capable of shutting out opposition parties.
The governor made the appeal during an interview with Bauchi Radio Broadcasting on Friday, following Thursday’s judgement delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The court nullified the National Working Committee led by former Senate President David Mark and invalidated decisions taken under its leadership.
However, reacting to Makinde’s appeal, Momodu, who serves as the Deputy Director-General of Media and Communications of the ADC Presidential Campaign, said he did not believe President Tinubu would respond to appeals unless he was directly confronted.
According to Momodu, individuals within the President’s circle were encouraging actions that could undermine democratic principles and weaken opposition parties.
He also drew comparisons with the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, warning that Nigeria could face another serious political crisis if democratic institutions were not protected.
Momodu further alleged that the President’s associates were placing personal and financial interests above the collective wishes of Nigerians. He expressed concern that the consequences of the political developments could be severe for the country.
The court judgement followed a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC Deputy National Chairman (North-East), who challenged the emergence of David Mark and former Interior Minister, Rauf Aregbesola, as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary respectively, following the resignation of former chairman Ralph Nwosu.
In its ruling, the court invalidated the ADC’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on July 27, 2025, as well as the presidential primary that produced Atiku Abubakar as the party’s candidate. It also nullified other nominations arising from the disputed meeting and directed INEC not to recognise decisions taken at the gathering.
Atiku, who had selected former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as his running mate, has vowed to appeal the judgement at the Court of Appeal.
The former Vice President described the ruling as an attempt to weaken opposition forces ahead of the January 16, 2027 general election.
Meanwhile, the Presidency has denied any involvement in the legal action that resulted in the court judgement.
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The ruling has continued to generate reactions within political circles, particularly among opposition figures who have expressed concerns about its possible implications for the ADC and the wider political landscape ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
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