Supporters of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar on Wednesday staged protests in Abuja over the delay in releasing the Certified True Copy of the judgment nullifying the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress, demanding immediate access to the document to enable the party challenge the ruling.
The protesters, operating under the aegis of United Friends from Atiku, marched to the Federal High Court in Abuja before taking their grievances to the United Nations office, where they submitted petitions to several national and international institutions.
They called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the National Judicial Council, the Economic Community of West African States, the United Nations, the European Union and other diplomatic missions to intervene in the matter.
The protest followed the November 5 judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, which nullified the Mark-led ADC leadership and invalidated decisions taken under its authority, including the process that produced Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
The group alleged that the failure to release the certified judgment, despite an application and its constitutional right of appeal.
Speaking during the protest, the group’s coordinator, Audu Aliyu, said the party had made repeated efforts to obtain the document since the judgment was delivered but had yet to receive it.
He questioned how the judgment could allegedly be available to individuals seeking to influence the Independent National Electoral Commission while the affected party was still unable to obtain its certified copy.
“How can a judgment that has not been made available to the affected party be available to some people, to allegedly pressure INEC into taking action?” Aliyu asked.
He maintained that the ADC was not seeking to undermine the judiciary but wanted the opportunity to pursue its case through the established legal process.
In a petition signed by Aliyu and presented to the relevant authorities, the protesters described the delay as an impediment to justice, warning that denying a party access to a judgment required for an appeal could undermine confidence in the judicial process.
They cited Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which guarantees the right to fair hearing, arguing that the affected party should not be placed at a disadvantage in pursuing its legal options.
The petition stated: “Democracy does not die only through military coups. It can also be undermined through administrative delays and the denial of access to justice.”
The protesters gave the relevant authorities 24 hours to ensure the release of the Certified True Copy of the judgment, warning that they would return with a stronger demonstration if their demand was not addressed.
They also urged the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to direct the court registry to make the document available immediately.
Copies of the petition were sent to President Bola Tinubu, the NJC, Nigerian Bar Association, President of the Court of Appeal, ECOWAS, UN, EU and the United States Embassy.
The ADC had earlier rejected the November 5 ruling and resolved to challenge it at the Court of Appeal, insisting that the party should be allowed to exhaust its legal remedies.
The controversy has heightened uncertainty surrounding the opposition party’s participation in the 2027 elections, particularly the status of its presidential ticket and other candidates.
The development comes amid a wider wave of litigation affecting opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party and Accord Party, whose leadership arrangements and nomination processes are also facing legal challenges.
The situation has raised concerns about the ability of affected parties to resolve their internal disputes before the electoral timetable gathers momentum.
Meanwhile, the Federal High Court has scheduled its Christmas vacation from December 21, 2026, to January 5, 2027, with regular sittings expected to resume on January 6.
However, the court has designated judges to handle urgent matters during the break, including cases involving fundamental rights and other issues of national importance, particularly pre-election disputes.
With the 2027 elections approaching, the protesters’ demand has added another dimension to concerns that unresolved political disputes and prolonged legal proceedings could disrupt opposition parties’ preparations and threaten their chances of presenting candidates for the polls.
