*Former VP tells Tinubu: You can’t use courts to escape Nigerians’ verdict
*ADC seeks keep of execution, warns INEC in opposition to pre-empting enchantment*Go and kind out your inner issues, APC fires again
*Heaven won’t fall if Atiku will not be on poll, says Keyamo
*Coalition describes judgment as harmful escalation
Chuks Okocha, Alex Enumah and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja
As political intrigues collect momentum forward of the 2027 normal election, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar yesterday declared that nothing would cease him from contesting, insisting that he could be on the poll.
The declaration got here because the African Democratic Congress (ADC) appealed the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which nullified the get together’s congresses and sacked the National Executive Committee led by Senator David Mark. The judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, recognised an aggrieved get together chieftain and former National Deputy Chairman of the ADC, Nafiu Bala Gombe, because the genuine chief of the get together. Justice Lifu had, within the judgment delivered on Thursday, nullified all actions taken by the Mark-led government, declaring them illegal, unconstitutional, unlawful, null and void. The choose held that the Mark-led government emerged by an illegal course of and shouldn’t be recognised by INEC.
Furthermore, the Mark-led ADC in its enchantment, warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in opposition to taking any motion that might pre-empt the end result of its enchantment.
While the ADC accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of allegedly attempting to destabilise the opposition get together, the ruling get together denied involvement in its inner disaster and urged it to resolve its issues.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, stated heaven wouldn’t fall if Atiku didn’t seem on the poll within the 2027 normal election.
Equally, the National Executive Committee Chairmen Forum of the ADC loyal to Gombe, threatened to embark on a nationwide protest in opposition to INEC if it fails to adjust to Thursday’s courtroom judgment on the get together’s management disaster.
In a press release posted on his verified X account, Atiku stated: “Let nobody mistake the most recent courtroom ruling for the need of the Nigerian folks. No manipulation, conjecture or concoction can erase our place on this contest, silence our marketing campaign or deny Nigerians the suitable to select their future. We are on the poll, and the folks should be allowed to determine.
“Those who boast of getting thirty-two governors and declare to have purchased, pressured or coerced leaders from different events into their fold shouldn’t have any motive to concern a free and truthful contest. Yet, as an alternative of presenting their report to Nigerians, they proceed to deploy each tactic obtainable to weaken the opposition: political strain, manufactured narratives, courtroom manoeuvres and makes an attempt to compromise the voters’ register with AI-generated images, false names and fictitious identities. These are usually not the actions of individuals assured of their report. They are calculated makes an attempt to make real competitors inconceivable and push Nigeria in direction of a one-party state.
“And what report have they got to defend? This authorities eliminated the gasoline subsidy in a single day with out a plan to shield Nigerians. It presided over the steep decline of the naira and allowed meals costs to rise past the attain of extraordinary households. Factories and small companies have shut their doorways. Our younger individuals are leaving in the hunt for hope, whereas bandits and kidnappers proceed to maintain communities hostage.
“Look round you. Market stalls stand empty. Feeding your loved ones has develop into a each day battle. Fuel costs preserve rising, and silent ache fills properties throughout the nation. Those in energy might want you to consider that your struggling doesn’t matter. They might want you to give up your future earlier than you even attain the poll field. Do not lose coronary heart. Do not retreat. Your vote is your energy, and collectively, we’ll take our nation again.
“Let me be clear to each Nigerian who has stood with us: I’m on this race. I’m not going anyplace. We shall be on the poll. No menace, blackmail or courtroom manoeuvre will make me abandon you or the trigger we share.
“We will resist with all our energy each try to flip Nigeria right into a one-party state. Nigeria belongs to all its folks. Our democracy should stay open to multiple get together and multiple voice. If these in energy consider of their numbers and their report, allow us to meet on the polls in a free, truthful and credible contest.
“Our campaign will continue. Our message on the cost of living will not be silenced or derailed. Stay calm, united and resolute. Together, we will fight for a Nigeria where life is affordable and every citizen’s vote counts.
“Let me say this plainly: Bola cannot use the courts to escape the judgment of Nigerians at the ballot box,” Atiku said.
ADC Appeals Judgment, Seeks Stay, Writes INEC
The Mark-led ADC has appealed the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which sacked the get together’s National Executive Committee led by Senator David Mark.
The group additionally utilized for a keep of execution of the judgment delivered by Justice Lifu.
Barely 24 hours after the judgment, the ADC approached the Court of Appeal to problem the choice and utilized for an order halting its implementation pending the listening to and dedication of the enchantment.
The discover of enchantment and movement for keep, dated November 6, have been filed on behalf of the ADC by its workforce of legal professionals led by Shaibu Enejoh Aruwa, SAN. The get together additionally notified INEC of the enchantment and its utility for a keep of execution.
In a letter to the fee, the legal professionals stated: “We are counsel to the ADC, the first Defendant within the above-mentioned go well with.
“Recall that the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, delivered its judgment within the aforementioned go well with in favour of the plaintiff thereof on November 5, 2026.
“The 1st Defendant, being dissatisfied with the stated judgment of the Federal High Court, has filed a Notice of Appeal in opposition to the judgment on the Court of Appeal. A replica of the Notice of Appeal dated November 6, 2026 is annexed on your affirmation and identical is marked as Annexure ‘A’.
“The 1st Defendant has additionally filed Motion on Notice on the Federal High Court for the Stay of Execution of the judgment of the Federal High Court delivered on November 5, 2026, pending the listening to and dedication of the enchantment on the Court of Appeal. A replica of the Motion on Notice for Stay of Execution dated November 6, 2026 is annexed on your affirmation and identical is marked as Annexure ‘B’.
“We subsequently write to deliver to your consideration that the plaintiff, Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, is conscious of the enchantment filed by the first Defendant, African Democratic Congress (ADC), in addition to the Motion on Notice for Stay of Execution. The Motion on Notice for the Stay of Execution is but to be taken by the Honourable Court.
“In view of the foregoing, we enjoin the Commission to stay further action on the subject matter of the suit pending the hearing and determination of the appeal now pending at the Court of Appeal,” the letter learn.
Justice Lifu had held that the emergence of Senator Mark as ADC chairman, in addition to the opposite members of his government, violated the get together’s structure and pointers.
Gombe had approached the Federal High Court, Abuja, to problem the emergence of the Mark-led government. In the go well with marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, he claimed that following the resignation of the previous National Chairman of the ADC, Chief Ralph Nwosu, he was certified to assume the get together’s management.
He had requested the courtroom to restrain the defendants from parading themselves as leaders of the get together, arguing that the method that produced them violated constitutional provisions and the ADC’s pointers.
Those sued included the ADC, Mark, Aregbesola, INEC and the get together’s former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu.
The defendants had urged the courtroom to dismiss the go well with for being incompetent and missing in advantage, arguing that the matter involved the inner affairs of a political get together and was subsequently outdoors the courtroom’s jurisdiction.
However, Justice Lifu granted the reliefs sought by the plaintiff and declared unconstitutional, illegal, null and void, all actions and choices taken by the Mark-led government on behalf of the get together.
The congresses and conference that produced Atiku and different candidates looking for elective places of work on the state and federal ranges have been carried out by the Mark-led National Executive.
The ADC Director of Strategic Communications, Phrank Shaibu, stated the get together had additionally formally notified INEC of the enchantment and urged the fee to chorus from taking additional motion on the matter.
He stated: “The utility for a keep has not but been decided. INEC should subsequently train restraint. It should not act as if the enchantment and keep utility don’t exist, or take any step that might pre-empt the Court of Appeal and undermine the correct decision of this matter. The Commission should respect the judicial course of and permit the appellate courtroom to hear the case.
“The ADC is exercising its lawful proper to enchantment. The judgment is now underneath problem earlier than the next courtroom, and the authorized course of should be allowed to run its course. We count on INEC to uphold the regulation and take full account of the pending proceedings earlier than making any consequential choice.
“To our members, supporters and Nigerians who believe in democracy: remain calm, steadfast and confident. This is not the end of the road. The ADC is taking every lawful step to defend its rights, and we will not be intimidated or distracted from that responsibility. Our commitment to Nigerians and to their right to choose remains firm.
“Our campaigns continue without interruption. There is no stopping the affordability train or our mission to make life better for Nigerians. We will keep taking our message to the people as we pursue every lawful avenue to defend our rights.
“We are confident that the facts and the law will receive a full hearing. The ADC will continue to pursue this matter through the courts and stand for a democratic process in which every party and every voter is treated fairly,” Shaibu said.
Keyamo: Heaven Will Not Fall if Atiku Is Not on 2027 Ballot
Keyamo has stated heaven won’t fall if former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar doesn’t seem on the poll within the 2027 normal election.
In a publish on X, Keyamo stated political actors should respect judicial choices relatively than abuse judges or blackmail the judiciary every time judgments don’t favour them.
He cited the Supreme Court’s 2020 choice nullifying the victory of the APC governorship candidate in Bayelsa State, David Lyon, a day earlier than his scheduled swearing-in.
He recalled that Lyon was inspecting the stadium ready for his inauguration when the judgment was delivered, including that the APC accepted the choice with equanimity.
Keyamo additionally referenced the Supreme Court’s 2019 judgment that eliminated APC candidates who had received elections in Zamfara State, from the governorship to the House of Assembly, and changed them with candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He stated Atiku had defended the judiciary following the Zamfara judgment, which went in opposition to the ruling get together on the time.
Quoting the previous vice-president, he stated: “That judgment was against the ruling party. We took it on our chins.”
Keyamo added: “You cannot abuse judges and blackmail the judiciary when it doesn’t go your way.”
He concluded: “Heavens WILL NOT FALL IF A CERTAIN ATIKU ABUBAKAR IS NOT ON THE BALLOT IN 2027.”
APC to ADC: Go and Sort Out Your Internal Mess
The APC, nevertheless, denied involvement within the ADC’s disaster, accusing the opposition get together of blaming it every time it suffered a authorized setback as an alternative of resolving its inner issues.
Its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, stated Thursday’s judgment by Justice Lifu, which sacked the Mark-led management of the ADC, was self-inflicted.
He stated the nullification of all official acts of the get together’s management, together with its main election processes and outcomes, resulted from its lawlessness and demonstrated the vibrancy of the rule of regulation and independence of the judiciary.
Morka added that if the ADC was dissatisfied with the choice, it ought to train its constitutional proper of enchantment relatively than interact in partisan mudslinging in opposition to the APC and difficulty threats able to inciting anarchy.
He stated the ADC hailed the rule of regulation and extolled the judiciary every time courtroom choices favoured it.
Morka stated: “In their warped reckoning, solely courts and judges that facet with them are worthy whereas people who rule in a different way are a menace to society. That is senselessness within the excessive.
“The courtroom judgment that has despatched the ADC in a tailspin had to do with a infamous case initiated by leaders of ADC in opposition to pirate leaders of ADC.
“To be clear, APC is neither a celebration nor an interlocutor within the matter. Nothing in regards to the case has something to do with the APC. And the APC has completely no function within the get together’s judicial quagmire.
“The case resulted from a authorized problem introduced by ADC nationwide officers victimised by the bare-faced heist of the get together’s management by David Mark and his co-pirates to fulfill Atiku Abubakar’s quixotic presidential ambition.
“It didn’t matter to them that their hostile takeover of that get together was in flagrant violation of the rule of regulation and ADC’s inner democracy, as a courtroom of competent jurisdiction has now declared.
“Now they lash out in a fit of rage at the court and innocent spectators for the judicial outcome that was the inevitable consequence of their reckless political misadventure.”
Morka stated the ADC had peddled conspiracy theories with out taking accountability for what he described as a self-inflicted harm that the courtroom had judicially licensed.
He described the ADC as a decrepit get together, including that it was unfit to be taken critically by Nigerians.
He stated the APC and President Bola Tinubu’s administration remained dedicated to preserving democracy, upholding the rule of regulation and delivering good governance.
ADC Chairmen Threaten Protest, demand Mark’s elimination
The National Executive Committee Chairmen Forum of the ADC loyal to Gombe has threatened to embark on a nationwide protest in opposition to INEC if it fails to adjust to the courtroom judgment on the get together’s management disaster.
The discussion board additionally referred to as on INEC to instantly substitute the names of Senator David Mark and members of his dissolved Interim National Working Committee on its portal with these of Nafiu Bala Gombe and different get together officers it described as legally recognised.
It additionally urged the Commission to reopen its portal to allow it conduct recent primaries, the place vital, and add its candidates for the 2027 normal elections.
The Secretary of the discussion board, Kennedy Odion, made the calls for whereas addressing journalists in Abuja yesterday.
Odion described the ruling as a vindication of the discussion board’s place that the Mark-led management was not constitutionally recognised.
“We, the one legally recognised NEC members, settle for in its entirety the judgment declaring our personal Alhaji Nafiu Bala Gombe the genuine nationwide chairman of the ADC.
“Failure to comply with this latest judgment will leave us no option but to proceed with our planned nationwide protest against the electoral umpire. Nigeria is for all of us. No individual, however highly placed, is above the law,” Odion stated.
Ologbondiyan: ADC Will Be on Ballot Despite Court Ruling
The Director of Media and Publicity of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Kola Ologbondiyan, has assured that the get together will take part within the 2027 normal election regardless of the Federal High Court judgment invalidating the method by which its management emerged.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE NEWS yesterday, he stated the get together would pursue all obtainable authorized choices to problem the judgment, dismissing options that the ADC would resort to actions able to destabilising the nation if prevented from taking part within the election.
Ologbondiyan criticised the judgment delivered by Justice Lifu, arguing that it contradicted an earlier ruling by Justice Musa Liman on the get together’s management dispute.
He described the event as a menace to the nation’s judicial system and questioned the implications of conflicting judgments on the identical matter.
He stated: “This matter isn’t just as a result of I’m a member of the ADC or as a result of it’s the ADC that’s concerned, however I all the time look prophetically in direction of our tomorrow as a rustic. I imply, is that this the legacy we’re going to depart behind for individuals who are coming after us?
“That we will have a situation back to the days of old? A situation that the late General Sani Abacha pointed to in removing the Shonekan government from office, because judges and justices were busy producing conflicting judgments. Is that where we are going back to?”
Ologbondiyan alleged that the ruling was supposed to frustrate the get together’s rising political actions, notably following its marketing campaign outing in Sokoto State.
He stated: “Those who stated that the ADC and the presidency are rattled are talking to the very fact. They are rattled. They have accomplished every thing potential to halt our marketing campaign in Sokoto, together with the unimaginable, and we’ve bypassed all that.
“We had a rally that was mammoth, which Nigerians are commending at this second.
“And not simply that, Dr Abati, it should curiosity you to know that the dimension which Atiku Abubakar and the ADC launched to campaigning yesterday has not been seen since 2003, which is a street-to-street marketing campaign. Moving by communities, stopping at each group, speaking to the folks and addressing them.
“So, I consider, like many Nigerians have stated, that they’re petrified of this dimension of campaigning, of reaching out and being in all places you go.
“Because of that, they believe that the only thing they can do is to remove the ADC from the electoral process. But that in itself will go nowhere, Dr Abati. It will not go anywhere. The ADC will be in this election.”
On the authorized dispute surrounding the get together’s management, Ologbondiyan questioned why the sooner judgment by Justice Liman was allegedly disregarded within the subsequent proceedings earlier than Justice Lifu.
He stated: “How do you forego a judgment as a result of it doesn’t favour you? You go and rent one other choose to produce for you one other judgment. And that’s the case that we’ve on our arms now.
“Justice Musa Liman, arising from the matter introduced by my brother to the courtroom, dismissed the matter. He didn’t even trouble to enchantment the judgment as a result of if he went on enchantment, he would have been caught out. So, he deserted the matter.
“So, Justice Liman, if you got here, we identified to your authorized representatives that your brother, choose, your brother on the identical bench, had delivered a judgment on this matter. And that is the place of the judgment.
“You threw it through the window and said it doesn’t matter. Nobody can stop me.”
The ADC spokesperson stated he was reluctant to make sweeping feedback about members of the judiciary, regardless of his reservations in regards to the dealing with of the case.
He additionally addressed the get together’s unsuccessful try to have Justice Lifu recuse himself from the proceedings, saying the ADC had petitioned the Chief Judge over its issues in regards to the choose’s dealing with of the matter.
He stated: “We did petition the Chief Judge of the courtroom.
“We stated we not trust. We identified that this matter that you’re taking up has been determined by your brother. He stated no, he should hear you.
“Even after his engagement with the upper courtroom, due to ADC, he stated he was going to hear it. He can’t be stopped.
“We said, okay, it is not the case of all of you. We no longer have confidence in the court.”
Ologbondiyan additionally questioned the circumstances surrounding the emergence of the get together’s management, alleging inconsistencies within the place taken by some people concerned within the course of.
He referred to the resignation of a celebration official forward of the coalition course of and his subsequent attendance on the inauguration of the brand new management.
He stated: “Dr Ubala resigned his appointment to enable the choice of their head there for the get together to come, for the coalition to come to the get together. He did.
“Now, he even attended the inauguration. He was bodily there. I noticed him.
“He got here again and stated, ‘Oh, my signature was poor.’ No proof. Nothing.
“This was proof for Justice Lifu. Every heavy evidence I took for Justice Lifu, they were thrown out. He had just one purpose, and that is the purpose that he delivered yesterday.”
Despite his criticism of the judgment, Ologbondiyan reiterated that the get together would comply with the authorized course of and wouldn’t assist any motion geared toward destabilising Nigeria.
He stated the ruling had generated concern amongst get together supporters and Nigerians who had invested their time and sources within the ADC’s political actions.
He stated: “I consider, like many Nigerians, that within the final 12 hours, I’ve acquired greater than 100 calls from Nigerians asking, ‘What’s the path? What are we doing right now?’
“We will certainly comply with a authorized course of. But a variety of Nigerians who’re placing of their sources, who’re placing of their time, who’re campaigning throughout the size and breadth of Nigeria, one character, with a stroke of the pen, says that he has displaced them.
“I mean, where is the country going to?”
Coalition: FHC Judgment Dangerous Escalation
The Coalition for Democracy, an umbrella physique of opposition political events, has described the judgment of Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which dissolved the Mark-led management of the ADC and invalidated its presidential candidacy, as a harmful escalation and a scientific marketing campaign to get rid of credible political opposition forward of the 2027 normal election.
The coalition emerged from the G100 Opposition Summit held in Abuja on August 31. Its members embody the ADC, Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), National Rescue Movement (NRM), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Youth Progressives Party (YPP).
It was established to give sensible expression to the resolutions of the summit and is dedicated to defending Nigeria’s constitutional democracy, defending political pluralism and making certain free, truthful, credible and aggressive elections.
In a press release, the coalition warned that what was occurring to the ADC might occur to each opposition get together.
Its National Coordinator, Salihu Moh. Lukman, raised issues over what he described as Nigeria’s shrinking democratic area, citing assaults on opposition supporters, obstruction of political actions and the rising weaponisation of state establishments in opposition to political opponents.
Lukman stated: “When opposition events are attacked on the streets, annoyed by state establishments, and threatened with elimination by judicial pronouncements, Nigerians should ask whether or not the ruling get together nonetheless intends to face any significant opposition on the poll field.
“While the Coalition respects the independence of the judiciary and the suitable of aggrieved events to search authorized redress, the courts mustn’t ever develop into devices by which political competitors is extinguished.
“Those who seek to destroy the opposition in order to guarantee their own victory must understand that they are not merely threatening political parties; they are threatening the very foundations of the Republic. A government that cannot tolerate opposition has lost the moral authority to call itself democratic.”
He added: “When a authorities turns into extra afraid of the opposition than it’s accountable to the folks, democracy itself is in peril. This is why the Coalition warns that the continued narrowing of the democratic area in Nigeria carries grave penalties for nationwide stability. No democracy can stay peaceable when residents are denied significant political options.
“The poll should stay the battlefield of democracy. No political get together must be allowed to obtain by institutional manipulation what it fears it can’t obtain by the votes of Nigerians.
“We subsequently stand in solidarity with the ADC in its choice to problem this judgment by the suitable judicial processes. We name on all opposition events, civil society organisations, the Nigerian Bar Association, organised labour, the media and patriotic Nigerians to unite in peaceable, lawful resistance in opposition to each try to undermine political pluralism.
“Let or not it’s identified: the Coalition for Democracy won’t stand by whereas Nigeria is lowered to a democracy with out opposition, elections with out options, and ballots with out real decisions.
“An attack on one is an attack on all. We will resist it together,” Lukman stated
