The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has faulted the release of the certified true copy of the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, questioning why the document was made available only on the final day of the constitutionally prescribed seven-day period.

The party said the delay had left its legal team with limited time to examine the judgment and determine the appropriate legal steps to challenge the decision.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, said the authenticated copy was released on the final day of the seven-day period provided under Section 294(1) of the 1999 Constitution for delivering copies of judgments to parties.

Shaibu recalled that the party's lawyers had applied for the certified true copy and paid the required fees but had yet to receive the document despite the judge's earlier declaration in open court that copies were ready.

The party also maintained that the applications submitted by lawyers representing the affected parties bore the court's official payment stamp.

The development followed the November 5 judgment in which Justice Lifu nullified the leadership of the David Mark-led caretaker committee and invalidated decisions taken under its authority, including the process that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party's presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

The ADC had previously questioned the handling of the case, including the reassignment of the matter from Justice Emeka Nwite to Justice Lifu, and called on the National Judicial Council to investigate the circumstances surrounding the reassignment.

The party said it would carefully study the judgment and pursue all available legal remedies, maintaining that its right to challenge the ruling must be protected.

It also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to exercise restraint and allow the appellate process to run its course without taking steps that could pre-empt the outcome.

The controversy comes amid heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the ADC insisting that the legal dispute would not halt its campaign activities.