By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
A support group for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, United Friends for Atiku (UFFA), has warned that the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, affecting the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and its candidates could undermine Nigeria’s democracy and trigger a breakdown of public confidence in the electoral process.
The group also called on the Court of Appeal to urgently hear any appeal arising from the judgment, while urging the international community to monitor developments and ensure that Nigeria’s democratic institutions operate independently.
In a press conference on Thursday at the party’s headquarters in Abuja, the National Leader of the group, Alhaji Aliyu Audu, described the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu as a dangerous development that could restrict political competition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The judgment, according to the group, invalidated the ADC leadership and affected the party’s candidates, including the presidential nomination of Atiku Abubakar.
The group argued that democracy was not limited to the conduct of elections but also required voters to have genuine alternatives from which to choose their leaders.
It warned that allowing political disputes to eliminate viable opposition choices through judicial controversies could turn elections into a process in which outcomes were substantially predetermined before voting.
The group, however, said it was not arguing that political parties, candidates or their leaders should be above the law, or that the judiciary should abandon its responsibility to adjudicate disputes but rather expressed concern that the administration of justice could be used to advance political interests and weaken opposition parties.
“The Judiciary occupies a unique position in our constitutional democracy. That responsibility demands extraordinary restraint, independence, and fidelity to the law,” the statement said.
The group further expressed concern over what it described as conflicting judgments involving the ADC leadership, citing an earlier ruling delivered by Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court on July 2, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025.
It said the earlier judgment affirmed the David Mark-led leadership of the party, warning that conflicting decisions by courts of equal standing on related disputes could undermine public confidence in the justice system.
UFFA therefore urged the appellate court to urgently examine the legal issues arising from the latest judgment to prevent what it described as institutionalised legal uncertainty.
The group also accused the incumbent administration of gradually narrowing the democratic space and weakening credible opposition through state institutions, although it did not provide independent evidence to substantiate the allegation.
It maintained that legitimate disputes concerning the ADC’s leadership should be resolved through constitutionally appropriate judicial processes, with due regard to the wider implications for political participation and voters’ rights.
As part of its demands, it called on the judiciary to protect its independence and resist attempts to use the courts for political elimination.
It urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to discharge its responsibilities in accordance with the Constitution and final judicial decisions, without political interference.
The group also appealed to the United Nations, African Union, Economic Community of West African States, the United States, United Kingdom and European Union to closely monitor developments in Nigeria.
It urged the international organisations and democratic partners to scrutinise what it described as judicial anomalies and apply diplomatic pressure where necessary to protect the country’s electoral process.
“The stability of the West African sub-region hinges on the survival of Nigeria’s democracy,” the statement added.
While calling on Nigerians to remain peaceful and law-abiding, UFFA warned the government against pushing citizens to the point of frustration over 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. Do not push the Nigerian people to the wall,” the group said.
It, however, cautioned its supporters against violence and urged them to remain committed to constitutional democracy.
It said Nigeria’s democracy belonged to the people and called on the judiciary and other institutions to ensure that political parties were allowed to compete freely.
“Let the courts interpret the law fairly. Let the institutions operate freely. Let political parties compete. Let the international community bear witness. And, above all, let the Nigerian people decide,” the group said.
