Nine Political Parties rally behind ADC, warn against alleged plot to weaken Opposition

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Nine opposition political parties operating under the Coalition for Democracy have declared solidarity with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following Thursday’s Federal High Court judgment affecting the party’s leadership and presidential candidacy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The coalition described the ruling, which it said dissolved the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the ADC and invalidated its presidential candidacy, as “a dangerous escalation in what appears to be a systematic campaign to eliminate credible political opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.”

In a statement signed by Salihu Moh. Lukman on behalf of the member parties, the coalition warned that the developments affecting the ADC could eventually be replicated against other opposition parties.

It cautioned that what was happening to the ADC today could happen to any other political party tomorrow if the situation was not collectively challenged.

The Coalition for Democracy emerged from the G100 Opposition Summit held in Abuja on August 31, 2026. Its membership comprises the ADC, Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), National Rescue Movement (NRM), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Youth Progressives Party (YPP).

The group describes its mission as defending Nigeria’s constitutional democracy, protecting political pluralism and promoting free, fair, credible and competitive elections.

The coalition recalled that it had raised concerns a day earlier over what it described as the shrinking democratic space in Nigeria, citing alleged attacks on opposition supporters, obstruction of political activities and the increasing use of state institutions against political competitors.

It questioned whether the ruling party was still willing to allow meaningful political competition at the ballot box if opposition parties continued to face such challenges.

“When opposition parties are attacked on the streets, frustrated by state institutions, and threatened with elimination through judicial pronouncements, Nigerians must ask whether the ruling party still intends to face any meaningful opposition at the ballot box,” the statement said.

Although the coalition acknowledged the independence of the judiciary and the constitutional right of aggrieved parties to seek legal redress, it warned against any situation in which judicial institutions could be perceived as tools for suppressing political competition.

It argued that attempts to weaken opposition parties would pose a threat not only to the affected organisations but also to the country’s democratic foundations.

“Those who seek to destroy the opposition in order to guarantee their own victory must understand that they are not merely threatening political parties; they are threatening the very foundations of the Republic. A government that cannot tolerate opposition has lost the moral authority to call itself democratic,” the statement added.

The parties further warned that the restriction of political space could have serious consequences for national stability, insisting that democracy could not thrive without genuine political alternatives.

They maintained that elections must remain the primary means of determining political leadership, rather than what they described as institutional manipulation.

“The ballot must remain the battlefield of democracy. No political party should be allowed to achieve through institutional manipulation what it fears it cannot achieve through the votes of Nigerians,” the coalition said.

The group also expressed support for the ADC’s decision to challenge the judgment through the appropriate judicial processes.

It called on opposition parties, civil society organisations, the Nigerian Bar Association, organised labour, the media and other Nigerians to unite in what it described as peaceful and lawful resistance against actions capable of undermining political pluralism.

The coalition concluded by declaring that it would not allow Nigeria to become a democracy without meaningful opposition or elections without genuine alternatives.

“An attack on one is an attack on all. We will resist it together,” the parties declared.