‎‎The Coalition for Democracy says Thursday’s Federal High Court judgment against the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) poses a threat to Nigeria’s democratic process and the credibility of the 2027 general elections.

‎The coalition said the judgment, which it described as an attempt to dissolve the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the party and invalidate its presidential candidacy, could further shrink the country’s democratic space and weaken opposition parties ahead of the elections.

‎In a statement issued on Friday and signed by Salihu Moh. Lukman, on behalf of the coalition parties, the group described the development as “a dangerous escalation in what appears to be a systematic campaign to eliminate credible political opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections”.

‎It said the judgment had given fresh urgency to its earlier concerns over alleged attacks on opposition supporters, obstruction of political activities and the use of state institutions against political competitors.

The coalition warned that developments affecting the ADC could have consequences for other opposition parties, adding that no democracy could thrive without meaningful political alternatives.

‎“What is happening to the ADC today can happen to every opposition party tomorrow,” it said.

‎While acknowledging the independence of the judiciary and the right of aggrieved parties to seek legal redress, the coalition cautioned against using judicial pronouncements to undermine political competition.

‎“The courts must never become instruments through which political competition is extinguished,” it said.

‎The group added that a government unable to tolerate opposition had lost the moral authority to describe itself as democratic.

‎It warned that continued restrictions on political competition could threaten national stability, arguing that Nigerians must retain the freedom to choose among genuine political alternatives during elections.

‎“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 statement added.

‎The coalition expressed solidarity with the ADC over its decision to challenge the judgment through appropriate judicial processes.

‎It also called on opposition parties, civil society organisations, the Nigerian Bar Association, organised labour, the media and Nigerians to unite in peaceful and lawful resistance against attempts to undermine political pluralism.

‎The Coalition for Democracy emerged from the G100 Opposition Summit held in Abuja on August 31, 2026.

‎Its member parties include the ADC, Allied Peoples Movement, Democratic Leadership Alliance, National Rescue Movement, Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, Peoples Redemption Party, Social Democratic Party and Youth Progressives Party. (Daily Trust)