2027: Shehu Sani advises ADC on next step after appealing Justice Lifu's judgment

Former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani has called on leaders and supporters of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, to stop attacking the judiciary after the party decided to appeal a Federal High Court ruling that nullified its leadership.

Sani said the ADC had acted appropriately by contesting the ruling through the proper legal process. He urged party leaders to show restraint and avoid comments that could weaken public confidence in the judiciary.

The former federal lawmaker also urged ADC supporters to refrain from insulting judges or making what he called false and baseless accusations against members of the judiciary.

He wrote on X in response to the party’s decision to appeal the Federal High Court judgment delivered in Abuja on November 5, 2026, by Justice Peter Lifu.

The court had nullified the ADC leadership headed by former Senate President David Mark, ruling that the process by which it was established breached the party’s constitution and applicable legal provisions.

The ruling also invalidated actions taken by the Mark-led leadership, including the party’s presidential primary, which selected former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

The ADC subsequently filed a notice of appeal at the Court of Appeal on November 6, together with an application to stay execution of the ruling pending the appeal’s determination.

The party also formally informed the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, of its legal action, asking the commission to pause any further steps on the matter until the appellate court issues its decision.

Reacting to the development, Sani said the party should now allow the judicial process to run its course rather than resorting to verbal attacks against judges.

He said, "Now that they have appealed their case, that is the right thing to do. The next step is to restrain their tongues against the judiciary, and appeal to their supporters to stop insulting judges or making false and baseless allegations against them.

"After submitting your thesis, avoid insulting your supervisor."

2027: Shehu Sani advises ADC on next step after appealing Justice Lifu's judgment