Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) have condemned Thursday's judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja which sacked the Senator David Mark-led National Working Committee of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The judgment, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, nullified the leadership structure of the Mark-led faction, declaring its caretaker committee illegal and invalidating actions taken by it, including the process that produced Atiku as the party's presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

The court's decision followed a suit instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former National Deputy Chairman of the ADC, who challenged the process through which Mark and other members of the caretaker leadership assumed control of the party.

Gombe had argued that following the resignation of the party's former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to assume the party's leadership.

Reacting to the judgment, Atiku accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating moves to frustrate his presidential ambition and weaken his political support base, particularly in Northern Nigeria.

In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku described the ruling as part of an alleged strategy to disrupt his political activities and undermine the opposition ahead of the 2027 elections.

He questioned the rationale behind reopening the leadership dispute despite an earlier judgment delivered by Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025.

The former Vice-President, however, vowed to challenge the latest judgment at the Court of Appeal, urging his supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding.

Similarly, Obi expressed concern over the ruling, warning that uncertainty surrounding political parties and their candidates could undermine the credibility of the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general election.

In a statement shared on his X platform, the former Anambra governor said although he respected the authority of the judiciary, the timing and implications of the judgment raised concerns about the state of Nigeria's democracy.

He maintained that the electorate should ultimately determine who governs the country, urging the judiciary and other democratic institutions to protect political pluralism and ensure a level playing field for all political parties.

The Coalition of United Political Parties also condemned the judgment, alleging that it was part of a broader attempt to weaken opposition parties and pave the way for a one-party state.

CUPP, in a statement issued through its Office of the Spokesperson, described the development as a threat to democratic participation and political pluralism, calling on the judiciary to uphold the Constitution and protect the rights of Nigerians to participate freely in the political process.

The Social Democratic Party equally criticised what it described as attempts to prevent Atiku from participating in the 2027 presidential election.

The party's National Chairman, Prof. Sadiq Gombe, made the position known in Abuja while addressing journalists after a meeting with the party's nine governorship candidates.

He urged the judiciary, security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remain impartial in handling political disputes.

Gombe also distanced the SDP from the proposed Rainbow Coalition, insisting that the party remained committed to fielding its own presidential and vice-presidential candidates in the 2027 elections.

He identified Prince Adewole Adebayo and Prof. Usman Bugaje as the party's presidential and vice-presidential candidates, respectively.

Meanwhile, the ADC has vowed to appeal the judgment, insisting that it would explore all available legal options to challenge the decision.

The party's National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, who was joined as an interested party in the suit, confirmed that the party would approach the appellate court.

The judgment has introduced fresh uncertainty into the ADC's leadership structure and its preparations for the 2027 general election, particularly regarding the status of decisions taken by the Mark-led caretaker leadership.