The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said the judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal in Abuja on Monday restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising congresses organised by committees appointed by the Senator David Mark-led caretaker leadership of the party does not affect its direct primaries or the emergence of its candidates.
In a split decision of two-to-one, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal, led by Justice Okon Abang, affirmed an earlier judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja restraining INEC from recognising or participating in any state congresses conducted by committees appointed by the David Mark-led caretaker leadership of the ADC.
The appellate court also upheld the order of Justice Joyce Abdulmalik restraining the Mark-led executives from interfering with the tenure and functions of the party’s elected state executives.
Reacting in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC maintained that the judgment was limited to party congresses and had no effect on the direct primaries through which its candidates emerged at all levels.
“We wish to assure members of the Party and the general public that this judgment has no effect whatsoever on the direct primaries through which the Party’s candidates have emerged at all levels,” the statement read.
The party said it had already commenced the process of appealing the judgment, insisting that it respectfully disagreed with the verdict and considered it legally unsustainable.
It also noted the dissenting judgment of the presiding Justice, which it said more accurately reflected the settled position of the law and the party’s stance.
Urging its members and supporters to remain calm and focused, the ADC reaffirmed its commitment to providing Nigerians with an alternative political platform.
“The African Democratic Congress remains committed to the task of providing Nigerians with a credible alternative and will continue to pursue that mission in accordance with the Constitution and the rule of law,” Abdullahi stated.
