By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has urged the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to appeal without delay against the Federal High Court judgment nullifying the David Mark-led leadership of the party.

The National Publicity Secretary of the NDC, Osa Director, Esq., made the call in a statement issued on Thursday, warning that the judgment could further weaken opposition politics and shrink the space for multi-party democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The NDC said it respected the judiciary as “the last hope of the common man” but expressed concern that judgments of this nature could create the impression that the courts were being used to undermine democratic participation and weaken opposition parties.

“We have noted the Federal High Court judgment derecognizing the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC),” the statement said.

According to the NDC, the frequency of similar judgments, particularly from the High Courts, was raising concerns about the fate of the ADC ahead of the 2027 elections.

“The way some of these judgements are being churned out, especially from the High Courts, suggests a deliberate effort to shut out the ADC from the forthcoming general elections by other means,” the party said.

The NDC warned that such a development would have serious implications for Nigeria’s multi-party democracy, which it said was already facing significant pressure under the APC-led administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“This would amount to further shrinking the chances of multi-party democracy which is already under a big threat under the APC-led government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” it stated.

The opposition group therefore called on the judiciary to protect its independence, impartiality and integrity in handling matters capable of affecting the country’s democratic process.

“We therefore caution the judiciary to guard its independence, impartiality, and integrity at all times,” the NDC said.

The group specifically urged the ADC to immediately challenge the judgment at the appellate court and seek an accelerated hearing because of the approaching 2027 general elections.

“We urge the ADC to appeal the judgment without delay and call on the appellate court to grant an accelerated hearing in view of the fast-approaching 2027 general elections, so that uncertainty does not undermine democratic participation,” the statement added.

The NDC’s position comes amid growing political and legal uncertainty surrounding the ADC following the Federal High Court judgment affecting the party’s leadership and its preparations for the 2027 elections.

The NDC concluded its statement with a call for a democratic Nigeria, declaring: “A New Nigeria is Possible!”