Former Labour Party presidential candidate and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential flagbearer, Peter Obi, has criticised the Federal High Court judgment nullifying the emergence of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
Obi expressed concern that the ruling could create political uncertainty ahead of the elections, warning that developments capable of destabilising opposition parties could undermine Nigeria’s democratic process and voters’ choices.
The former Anambra State governor made his position known in a statement posted on his verified X account on Thursday, reacting to the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The court had nullified the leadership of the ADC National Working Committee led by former Senate President David Mark, alongside decisions taken under its leadership.
The ruling also invalidated the process that produced Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate, as well as the emergence of former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, as National Secretary and other nominations made by the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Reacting to the development, Obi said he received the news with shock, describing the judgment as unsettling, particularly with the general elections approaching.
He, however, maintained that he was not questioning the authority of the judiciary to adjudicate on political disputes but stressed the importance of certainty in the electoral process.
“I do not challenge the ruling of the court. The court of law is constituted to determine disputes according to the law,” Obi stated.
He added that uncertainty surrounding political parties and their candidates shortly before a general election was not healthy for democracy.
Obi further alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was contributing to the instability confronting opposition parties, drawing parallels with the internal crisis that affected his former party, the Labour Party.
He accused the ruling party of employing tactics capable of shrinking civic space and frustrating opposition activities.
According to him, democracy must remain a system in which citizens freely determine who governs them through the ballot box.
“One mark of democracy is that at all times, it is voters and not courts that choose leaders. I trust in the judiciary. As a public officer, I have shown deep respect for the judiciary,” he said.
The NDC presidential candidate also warned against weakening opposition politics, noting that Nigeria must strengthen its democratic institutions, particularly amid the resurgence of military takeovers in some West African countries.
He argued that the country’s democratic survival depends partly on protecting opposition parties rather than creating circumstances that could undermine their participation in elections.
Obi recalled that he had promised to give special attention to strengthening opposition parties and protecting their candidates from political persecution if elected president.
His reaction comes amid political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Obi and Atiku were among prominent opposition figures who joined the ADC coalition in 2025 as part of efforts to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
However, Obi and former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, left the ADC in May 2026 to join the NDC, citing concerns over internal party developments.
Obi subsequently emerged as the NDC presidential candidate, with Kwankwaso becoming his running mate.
Atiku, on the other hand, secured the ADC presidential ticket in May 2026 before the court ruling invalidated the process that produced him.
The legal battle followed a suit instituted by former ADC Deputy National Chairman (North-East), Nafiu Bala Gombe, who challenged the emergence of the Mark-led leadership.
Gombe argued that following the resignation of the party’s former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to assume leadership of the party.
In its judgment, the court held that the emergence of the Mark-led leadership violated provisions of the ADC constitution, the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution.
Meanwhile, the ADC has indicated its intention to appeal the judgment, while Atiku has also vowed to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.
