Atiku Group Warns Against ‘Judicial Dismantling’ Of Democracy, Seeks International Intervention

The United Friends for Atiku (UFFA) has warned that Nigeria’s democracy is facing a serious threat following the Federal High Court judgment invalidating the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and affecting the party’s candidates, including the presidential nomination of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

The group said the development could undermine democratic competition and public confidence in the electoral process if political disputes were allowed to be resolved through what it described as the weaponisation of judicial and state institutions.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, November 5, 2026, UFFA National Leadership, through its National Leader, Alhaji Aliyu Audu, described the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu as a dangerous development capable of narrowing Nigeria’s democratic space.

The group, however, clarified that its position was not an attempt to place political parties or their leaders above the law, but a call for fairness, judicial independence and the protection of democratic participation.

It questioned the implications of allowing judicial controversies to determine the political choices available to Nigerians before election day.

According to UFFA, democracy goes beyond voting, as it also guarantees citizens the right to choose among credible political alternatives.

The group expressed particular concern over what it described as conflicting judgments concerning the ADC leadership, citing an earlier ruling delivered by Justice Musa Liman on July 2, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, which it said affirmed the leadership of Senator David Mark.

It urged the appellate courts to urgently examine the conflicting judicial decisions, warning that allowing such disputes to persist could weaken public confidence in the administration of justice.

UFFA further accused the incumbent administration of benefiting from the shrinking of opposition political space, arguing that democratic erosion could occur through the gradual weakening of institutions and the elimination of credible political alternatives.

The organisation maintained that legitimate disputes concerning the ADC’s leadership should be resolved through constitutionally recognised processes, without undermining the political rights of aspirants and voters.

It consequently called on the Judiciary to protect its independence and ensure that courts were not used as instruments of political elimination.

The group also urged the Court of Appeal to accord any appeal arising from the judgment urgent attention.

It called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to discharge its responsibilities in accordance with the Constitution and final judicial decisions, without political interference.

In addition, UFFA appealed to the United Nations, African Union, ECOWAS, the United States, United Kingdom and European Union to closely monitor developments in Nigeria and hold the government accountable to international democratic standards.

It warned that the implications of the crisis could extend beyond Nigeria, given the country’s strategic importance to peace and stability in the West African sub-region.

While urging Nigerians to remain peaceful and committed to constitutional democracy, the group warned the government against pushing citizens to the point of frustration through what it described as attempts to deny them their electoral choices.

“When a goat is pushed to the wall, it fights back, even against its owner,” the statement said, cautioning against actions capable of provoking public discontent.

UFFA concluded by insisting that Nigeria’s democracy must remain open to political competition, stressing that no government should determine the choices available to the electorate.

It said the Nigerian people, rather than political interests or institutional manoeuvres, must ultimately decide the country’s political future.