Mark Slams FG After A’Court Reverses ADC Deregistration, Says Judiciary Now on Trial

ADC Chairman David Mark says the Court of Appeal’s decision exposes serious concerns within the judiciary, urging accountability while warning against actions that could undermine Nigeria’s democratic process.

The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Senator David Mark, has criticised the Federal Government following the Court of Appeal’s decision to halt the deregistration of the ADC and four other political parties, declaring that the judiciary is now under public scrutiny over the controversy.

Speaking at the ADC Strategic Communications Retreat in Abuja on Tuesday, Mark argued that the legal dispute surrounding the party’s deregistration has shifted attention from the opposition to the judiciary itself, raising questions about the integrity of judicial processes and adherence to the rule of law.

His comments came after the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal ordered a stay of execution of a Federal High Court judgment that directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister the ADC, Accord Party, Action Alliance, Action Peoples Party and Zenith Labour Party.

The appellate court also faulted Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court for proceeding with the judgment despite an earlier order restraining him from doing so. The court described the action as a serious violation of judicial hierarchy and granted the request to suspend enforcement of the ruling pending the determination of the appeal.

Reacting to the development, Mark insisted that the ADC was not the institution facing trial in the eyes of Nigerians.

“The ADC is not on trial. Rather, it is the judiciary that is on trial and the nation is waiting to see how the National Judicial Council is going to handle this precarious situation,” he said.

The former Senate President questioned how a judge could allegedly ignore a subsisting Court of Appeal order and then proceed to issue a ruling affecting the status of political parties.

He further alleged that the trial court’s actions created uncertainty and confusion, arguing that such developments could weaken public confidence in the justice system.

Mark also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of attempting to distract opposition parties instead of addressing governance challenges facing the country.

Despite the legal battle, he urged ADC members and supporters to remain confident, assuring them that the party would overcome the challenge and emerge stronger.

“We will go through all these turbulence because we are up to the task. By the time we are through all these, ADC will come out stronger,” Mark stated.