ADC Power Struggle Explodes: Judiciary Warned Against Political Meddling

A significant national leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has ignited concerns among political stakeholders, with allegations of political interference and attempts to undermine opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections. Comrade Abdullahi Ibrahim Ismael, a chieftain of the ADC in Nasarawa State, raised alarm over the matter, currently before the Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu. Ismael urged that the case be determined strictly in line with the law and without external pressure, highlighting that the camp associated with former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola believes its position is supported by previous court decisions relating to internal party administration.

Ismael referenced past Supreme Court decisions which consistently emphasized that issues concerning party leadership and internal affairs should primarily be resolved within political parties, unless clear legal violations are established. He argued this principle should guide the current dispute. Furthermore, Ismael claimed that support for Nafi’u Bala’s position had diminished, with some previously connected individuals having moved on politically or withdrawn their involvement. Expressing concern about the wider political environment, he noted that divisions within opposition parties could impact political competition and alleged that actions by influential figures in the APC-led federal government had prompted worries among opposition supporters regarding the independence of political processes. He urged the judiciary to maintain impartiality, called on Nigerians and political actors to support democratic institutions, and referenced concerns raised by the Grassroots Mobilization Network (GMN) over the case.

Echoing and amplifying these concerns, Timi Frank, a former deputy national publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and currently the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East and Senior Advisor to the Global Friendship City Association (GFCA), USA, alleged that the legal dispute involving Nafiu Bala Gombe and the ADC was part of broader efforts to undermine the opposition in Nigeria. Frank issued a stern warning to the judiciary against delivering politically-motivated judgments in this and other cases involving opposition parties, expressing deep concern over perceived attempts to deploy the judiciary against opposition political entities ahead of future elections.

Frank specifically called on key judicial figures, including the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the National Judicial Council (NJC), and judges across the Federal High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court, to steadfastly uphold the rule of law and resist any external pressure. He emphasized that judicial officers handling politically sensitive cases must exercise extreme caution, as the international community is closely monitoring developments in Nigeria. Frank stated that judges should be careful because the international community is "watching and paying attention" to how political and sensitive cases are handled at this critical time.

Delving into more serious allegations, Frank claimed that concerted efforts were underway to obtain court orders designed to weaken the opposition ADC, which he noted is led by former Senate President David Mark. He further alleged that these maneuvers aimed to restrict the party's participation in the democratic process leading up to the 2027 general election. Frank asserted knowledge of what he described as "subterranean moves by the Presidency to blackmail and intimidate the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court with corruption allegations" in an attempt to influence the handling of the ongoing ADC suit.

According to Frank, the ultimate objective of these alleged actions was to secure a ruling that would effectively stop the ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and the party’s candidates for Senate, House of Representatives, governorship, and state assembly positions from participating in the forthcoming general election. He issued a resolute warning that any such move would be met with strong resistance from Nigerians committed to preserving democracy. Frank reiterated his call for judges to ensure their decisions are guided strictly by the law, cautioning that judgments perceived as politically motivated could further erode public confidence in the judiciary.

The political activist also warned of potential severe repercussions for judicial officers who aid attempts to derail democracy through questionable rulings. He explicitly stated that such judges could face consequences and actions from foreign governments and international institutions, particularly from the American government, for judgments aimed at "truncating democracy." Furthermore, Frank cautioned that these consequences could extend beyond the judges themselves, potentially affecting their families, urging them to "be very careful."

Extending his warning to all tiers of the judiciary, Frank stressed that appellate courts and the Supreme Court bear a crucial responsibility to safeguard democratic values and preserve the integrity of the electoral process. Describing the current political atmosphere as "very sensitive and very critical," Frank urged judges not to allow themselves to be used as instruments for settling political disputes or for excluding legitimate political actors from participating in elections. He maintained that democracy thrives only when all qualified political parties and candidates are allowed to participate freely, underscoring the judiciary's pivotal role in protecting Nigeria’s democratic system.