By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – The Atiku Media Office has welcomed the Court of Appeal’s judgment setting aside a Federal High Court ruling that sought to remove the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other political parties from Nigeria’s democratic space, describing the verdict as a major victory for constitutional democracy and the rule of law.
In a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, the media office said the appellate court’s decision had effectively cleared all legal obstacles before the ADC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
It noted that, with the latest judgment validating the party’s legal status, alongside an earlier ruling by the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, affirming the election of the Senator David Mark-led National Executive Committee, there is no longer any pending litigation challenging the party’s leadership.
According to the statement, the Court of Appeal ruled that the judgment delivered by the Federal High Court on June 15 was a nullity because it was issued in violation of an existing order of the appellate court.
The court also held that the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing to institute the suit, describing their claims as speculative and without legal merit.
The Atiku Media Office further noted that the appellate court clarified the interpretation of Section 225A of the Constitution, holding that its provisions should be read disjunctively rather than conjunctively.
It added that the court found the suit to be premature since the Osun and Ekiti election cycles were still ongoing when the action was filed.
The statement also highlighted the appellate court’s criticism of the lower court for disregarding the affidavit evidence presented by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which confirmed that the ADC and the other affected political parties had complied with all constitutional and statutory requirements. It said the Court of Appeal faulted the trial court for allegedly creating additional conditions not supported by law, despite accepting INEC’s evidence.
Describing the judgment as more than a legal triumph for the ADC, the Atiku Media Office said the ruling represented a victory for all Nigerians who believe in competitive democracy and the supremacy of the rule of law. It argued that democracy is strengthened when political contests are decided through elections rather than litigation aimed at eliminating opposition parties.
The statement warned against what it described as attempts by anti-democratic forces to use the courts and other state institutions as tools for political engineering. It stressed that the judiciary must not become an avenue for shrinking the democratic space or removing political opponents through judicial processes.
As preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections, the Atiku Media Office maintained that political disputes should be resolved through the ballot box rather than “contrived lawsuits” intended to achieve judicial victories where electoral success may be unattainable.
The media office commended the Justices of the Court of Appeal for what it described as their courage, impartiality and fidelity to the Constitution, expressing confidence that the judgment would reinforce public trust in the judiciary and strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
The statement similarly expressed optimism that truth, justice and the democratic will of the Nigerian people would ultimately prevail.
