ADC Lawyer Seeks Speedy Supreme Court Judgement

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has warned against any attempt to compromise Nigeria’s democratic process, cautioning the judiciary to remain independent amid rising political tensions linked to the crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

He said this while corroborating a call by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Shaibu Enejo Aruwa, to the Supreme Court to urgently deliver judgement in a pending appeal on ADC leadership crisis involving former Senate President, David Mark, and Nafiu Bala Gombe, warning that delays could jeopardise the participation of the party in the 2027 general election.

Aruwa stated this in a letter written to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.

Atiku, who made the remarks via his verified account on X (formerly Twitter), expressed concern over what he described as growing threats to the country’s democratic integrity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“It is increasingly evident that Nigeria’s democracy, and indeed the integrity of the 2027 general elections, is in serious jeopardy. Democracy itself is now facing an existential threat,” he stated.

While raising alarm over the situation, the former presidential candidate said he still had confidence in the judiciary as a critical institution in safeguarding democracy.

“However, I do not want to believe that the judiciary, long regarded as the last hope of the common man, would align with the ruling All Progressives Congress in any effort that could undermine or destroy our democratic foundations,” he added.

In his letter dated Tuesday, April 28, 2026, and addressed to the CJN, Aruwa, who is counsel to the ADC, appealed for a “timely delivery” of judgement in Suit No: SC/CV/180/2026.

LEADERSHIP recalls that the suit, titled Senator David Mark v. Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe & 4 Ors, was heard on April 22, 2026, with judgement reserved for a later date.

Aruwa, in the letter, expressed concern that the delay in delivering the verdict could have far-reaching consequences for the party’s political future, particularly in light of recent actions by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“We are most respectfully constrained to request for my Lord’s kind intervention and directive in ensuring that the judgement is rendered timeously,” the letter read.

He noted that INEC, acting on a lower court judgement in Appeal No: CA/ABJ/145/2026, had “purportedly… removed or de-recognized the leadership of the African Democratic Congress, ADC,” leaving the party without a recognised leadership structure.

According to him, although ADC remained a registered political party, the absence of leadership could hinder its ability to meet key requirements outlined in INEC’s timetable for the 2027 general election.

“Without the delivery of judgment within the next three days from the date of this letter, the ADC stands the grave and irreversible risk of being excluded from participating in the 2027 General Elections,” Aruwa warned.

He added that such a development would disenfranchise millions of Nigerians aligned with the party.

“This would disenfranchise millions of Nigerians who have subscribed to the ideals of the ADC and deny them their constitutional right to freely associate and contest elections through a political party of their choice,” he stated.

The senior lawyer, however, acknowledged the workload of the apex court, stressing the urgency of the matter.

“We are mindful of the enormous responsibilities and workload of this Honourable Court. We are equally aware that justice delayed, in this peculiar circumstance, would amount to justice denied,” he said.

He further emphasised that the party’s compliance with statutory electoral requirements was tied to the outcome of the appeal.

“The entire political future of our client and the legitimate expectations of its members nationwide now hangs in the balance,” the letter added.

The development comes as INEC continued preparations for the 2027 elections, with political parties expected to meet strict timelines and conditions to remain eligible to participate.