The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has mobilized 97 volunteer lawyers to defend its interim leaders against what it calls a fake lawsuit allegedly backed by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The party made this known in a statement last Tuesday, calling the legal challenge “fabricated, fraudulent, and politically motivated.”

Mr. Mohammed Sheriff, who leads the defense team, said the lawsuit includes names of people “not even registered ADC members. This entire suit is a ploy to distract and delegitimize ADC’s new leadership,” 

The ADC accused the ruling APC of using “Machiavellian tactics” to derail Nigeria’s growing opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.

The development comes just days after ADC’s interim chairman, Senator David Mark, met with party leaders in Abuja. Mark assured members that his leadership will prioritize transparency, inclusion, and grassroots empowerment.

“I don’t own this party more than any other member,” Mark said. “Every Nigerian must take ownership of ADC.”

He urged citizens to become active in politics and help rebuild a credible alternative to the current ruling structure.

Meanwhile, ADC leaders have accused the APC of focusing on political sabotage instead of fixing Nigeria’s worsening insecurity and economic crisis. “If they promised security and worsened it, why should Nigerians continue trusting them?” Mark asked.

ADC insists the lawsuit targets Mark and former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola in an attempt to destabilize the party.

Sheriff said the legal team stands ready to defend democracy and expose the lawsuit’s legal flaws. “The overwhelming support from 97 lawyers shows this attack is serious but so is our resolve,” he stated.

The ADC warned that the lawsuit will not derail the momentum generated by its newly announced opposition coalition. The party called the legal challenge a distraction meant to weaken the party’s rising popularity and reform message.

Mark ended with a call for unity: “Let us work together to rebuild Nigeria for future generations.”

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