The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Laja Adeoye, has urged former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and supporters to join forces with its presidential candidate, Governor Seyi Makinde, to oust the APC in 2027.
Mr Adeoye made the call while reacting to the court ruling, which sacked the David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the African Democratic Congress (ADC)
The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court on Thursday nullified the leadership of the Mark-led ADC and invalidated all decisions taken by the party under its leadership, including the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate.
Justice Peter Lifu, in his judgement, declared the Mark-led Caretaker Committee illegal, nullifying the process through which it conducted the party’s presidential primary that produced Mr Abubakar as its flag bearer.
The court also nullified the emergence of a former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, as national secretary, as well as the appointments of other national officers and the nominations of candidates presented by the party for the 2027 elections.
The judgement followed a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, instituted by former ADC deputy national chairman (North-East), Nafiu Bala Gombe, who challenged the process through which Mr Mark and other members of the caretaker committee assumed control of the party.
Speaking on Thursday, Mr Adeoye described the ruling as unfortunate, warning that prolonged legal battles within opposition parties could weaken efforts to build a united front against the ruling APC.
He said the development underscored the need for opposition leaders to prioritise political stability and strategic collaboration ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“As an opposition candidate committed to a stable political atmosphere, I believe the courts should never be the primary instrument for settling internal party contests, especially this close to a general election.
“While Atiku Abubakar has the right to seek further redress at the Supreme Court if time and the law still permit, we must also consider the political implications of prolonged litigation.
“The calendar is unforgiving. Elections are near, and prolonged litigation risks fracturing the opposition further and handing the APC an easier path to retention of power,” he said.
The APM candidate urged Mr Abubakar and his supporters to embrace the party’s political structure nationwide, describing the proposal as a strategic move towards building a formidable opposition coalition.
He said the proposal was consistent with the spirit of the Ibadan Summit and the collective aspiration for a united opposition capable of challenging the APC in the forthcoming elections.
Mr Adeoye said Mr Makinde remained the preferred presidential candidate, adding that the governor’s proposed “Reset Nigeria” agenda offered a progressive alternative to the current administration.
“Rather than another round of bitter legal battles within the ADC that will only consume precious time and energy, I call on Atiku and his supporters to rally around this broader opposition realignment.
“The task before us is bigger than any one party or individual. It is about creating the political conditions for genuine change.
“I believe a coalition under the APM remains the easiest and most realistic path towards defeating the APC in 2027,” he said.
Mr Adeoye also reaffirmed his commitment to the APM governorship ambition in Lagos under its Reset Lagos Agenda, popularly known as Atunto Eko 1.0.
He said the combination of Mr Makinde’s presidential ambition and his own governorship candidature would provide a coordinated national and state-level platform for challenging the APC.
Mr Adeoye said a united opposition should concentrate its energy on mobilising voters and preparing for the elections rather than allowing internal disputes and court cases to undermine its chances.
He added that he remained willing to collaborate with progressive political forces committed to achieving political change through the ballot.