The United Friends for Atiku (UFFA) has warned that Nigeria’s democracy is going through a critical risk following the Federal High Court judgment invalidating the management of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and affecting the get together’s candidates, together with the presidential nomination of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
The group stated the event might undermine democratic competitors and public confidence within the electoral course of if political disputes have been allowed to be resolved by what it described because the weaponisation of judicial and state establishments.
Addressing a press convention in Abuja on Thursday, November 5, 2026, UFFA National Leadership, by its National Leader, Alhaji Aliyu Audu, described the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu as a harmful growth able to narrowing Nigeria’s democratic area.
The group, nonetheless, clarified that its place was not an try to put political events or their leaders above the regulation, however a name for equity, judicial independence and the safety of democratic participation.
It questioned the implications of permitting judicial controversies to find out the political selections out there to Nigerians earlier than election day.
According to UFFA, democracy goes past voting, because it additionally ensures residents the precise to decide on amongst credible political alternate options.
The group expressed specific concern over what it described as conflicting judgments in regards to the ADC management, citing an earlier ruling delivered by Justice Musa Liman on July 2, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, which it stated affirmed the management of Senator David Mark.
It urged the appellate courts to urgently look at the conflicting judicial selections, warning that permitting such disputes to persist might weaken public confidence within the administration of justice.
UFFA additional accused the incumbent administration of benefiting from the shrinking of opposition political area, arguing that democratic erosion might happen by the gradual weakening of establishments and the elimination of credible political alternate options.
The organisation maintained that reputable disputes in regards to the ADC’s management ought to be resolved by constitutionally recognised processes, with out undermining the political rights of aspirants and voters.
It consequently known as on the Judiciary to guard its independence and be certain that courts weren’t used as devices of political elimination.
The group additionally urged the Court of Appeal to accord any attraction arising from the judgment pressing consideration.
It known as on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to discharge its obligations in accordance with the Constitution and remaining judicial selections, with out political interference.
In addition, UFFA appealed to the United Nations, African Union, ECOWAS, the United States, United Kingdom and European Union to carefully monitor developments in Nigeria and maintain the federal government accountable to worldwide democratic requirements.
It warned that the implications of the disaster might prolong past Nigeria, given the nation’s strategic significance to peace and stability within the West African sub-region.
While urging Nigerians to stay peaceable and dedicated to constitutional democracy, the group warned the federal government in opposition to pushing residents to the purpose of frustration by what it described as makes an attempt to disclaim them their electoral selections.
“When a goat is pushed to the wall, it fights back, even against its owner,” the assertion stated, cautioning in opposition to actions able to upsetting public discontent.
UFFA concluded by insisting that Nigeria’s democracy should stay open to political competitors, stressing that no authorities ought to decide the alternatives out there to the voters.
It stated the Nigerian folks, reasonably than political pursuits or institutional manoeuvres, should in the end determine the nation’s political future.
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