ADC crisis: Makinde warns FG against stifling opposition

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde. Photo: Oyo State Government.

Oyo State Governor and 2027 presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, Seyi Makinde, has urged the Federal Government not to undermine democratic institutions or use them to suppress opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Makinde made the appeal while reacting to the Federal High Court judgment nullifying the leadership of the African Democratic Congress led by former Senate President David Mark and the process that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate.

He spoke during an interview with Bauchi Radio Broadcasting, in a video posted by the station on Friday.

The governor said the ruling, which threw the ADC’s leadership and preparations for the 2027 elections into uncertainty, had also placed Atiku’s presidential ambition under threat.

He said, “What I want to say is that we all witness the court judgments that basically nullify the leadership of a major opposition party, ADC, and also by that action the candidature of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar also came under threat.”

Makinde appealed to the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to protect the independence of institutions, particularly the judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission, warning against actions that could undermine opposition parties.

He said, “I just want to appeal to the present administration. Government will come and go. Our country will remain. They should please not destroy our institutions. Be it the judiciary, be it INEC which is supposed to be independent and saddle with the responsibility of conducting a free and fair election.

“They must stop trying to shut out the opposition. If you can win, win fair and square, you know, in the field.”

The governor also urged Nigerians not to lose hope in the country despite the economic and other challenges confronting them, expressing optimism that the problems could be overcome.

He said, “And lastly, I want to also say to Nigerians. Please, don’t give up on this country. Yes, we are passing through challenges, we are faced with a lot of issues. But those issues, those challenges, they are surmountable. So please try your best, do your own bit. And tomorrow will be a better day.”

The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, had on Thursday nullified the National Working Committee led by Mark, as well as the emergence of former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, as the party’s National Secretary.

The court also invalidated decisions taken by the Mark-led leadership, including the nomination of candidates for elective positions, and directed INEC not to recognise or act on decisions taken at the party’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on July 27, 2025.

The judgment followed a suit filed by former ADC Deputy National Chairman (North-East), Nafiu Bala Gombe, who challenged the process through which Mark and other members of the caretaker committee assumed control of the party.

Atiku has vowed to challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal, describing it as an attempt to weaken the opposition ahead of the 2027 elections.

However, Gombe’s faction welcomed the ruling and insisted that the Mark-led leadership had no valid candidates for the forthcoming elections.