2027: Imansuagbon Condemns ADC Judgment, Seeks Global Intervention, Warns Against Chaos

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Edo State and former governorship aspirant, Barrister Ken Imansuagbon, has condemned the Federal High Court judgment nullifying the party’s leadership, warning that the decision could plunge Nigeria into chaos and anarchy.

Imansuagbon, who spoke on Friday, described the judgment as a desperate attempt to cripple the opposition and undermine the country’s democracy, calling on the international community to urgently intervene to safeguard Nigeria’s democratic process.

He warned that the ruling could trigger a national conflagration capable of threatening the unity and stability of the country.

“Don’t set Nigeria on fire. This judgement is an invitation to chaos and anarchy. It is a desperation taken too far, whether now or tomorrow,” he declared.

He described the ruling as a “buddy trap that won’t catch anything,” insisting that the attempt to prevent the ADC from participating in the 2027 general elections was bound to fail.

“The government must not use power to intimidate its citizens. Nigerians have sacrificed so much to keep this country together, and any attempt to plunge the nation into chaos will be resisted,” he said.

The ADC chieftain called on the international community to intervene urgently, alleging that the judiciary was being subjected to political pressure under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“Today, the courts are becoming repressive under his watch against the people and democracy. The military never did this. Nigerians must rise against those who want to destroy this country,” he stated.

Imansuagbon also warned against attempts to prevent former Vice President Atiku Abubakar from participating in the 2027 presidential election, describing him as the candidate capable of rescuing Nigeria from its current downward trajectory under the Tinubu administration.

“Atiku is the candidate who can rescue this country from the downward trend under the Tinubu presidency,” he said.

He urged the Court of Appeal to “do the needful” by overturning the judgment and protecting the ADC’s participation in the electoral process.

Expressing concern over the implications of the ruling for national unity, Imansuagbon said the decision could generate political tension with far-reaching consequences for the country.

“For me, I fear for the unity of this country because this judgement is setting up a conflagration capable of consuming the entire nation. Nigeria is bigger than the personal ambition of any individual, group or political class. The people must be resilient and defend democracy.”

Drawing parallels with authoritarian African leaders, Imansuagbon questioned the legacy President Tinubu intended to leave behind, referencing former Zairean leader Mobutu Sese Seko and Cameroonian President Paul Biya.

He also criticised the administration’s economic policies, including the tax law, saying the hardship facing Nigerians had become unbearable.

“The poverty and suffering are too much. The government must remember that power is not permanent. Tinubu should prepare to vacate the presidency by next year.”

The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, on Thursday nullified the leadership of the ADC led by former Senate President David Mark and the process through which former Vice President Atiku Abubakar emerged as the party’s presidential candidate.

However, Imansuagbon expressed confidence that the judgment would not survive appellate scrutiny, insisting that efforts to keep the ADC off the ballot in the 2027 general elections would fail.

“We still have a few credible judges at the Supreme Court. The attempt to keep ADC off the ballot will fail. The country belongs to all of us, and what matters most is the Nigerian people,” he added.