By Lateef Ibrahim
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has announced plans to challenge the Court of Appeal’s ruling at the Supreme Court after the appellate court upheld a Federal High Court order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing state congresses conducted by committees appointed by the party’s David Mark-led caretaker leadership.
The party, in a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, described Monday’s judgement as “legally unsustainable” and confirmed that the process of filing an appeal at the Supreme Court had already commenced.
According to the ADC, the appellate court’s decision relates only to the ward, local government and state executive congresses and does not affect the direct primaries through which its candidates for various elective offices emerged nationwide.
The party also drew attention to the dissenting opinion delivered by the presiding justice, arguing that it better reflected the established position of the law and the party’s legal arguments.
“We urge all party members and the millions of our supporters to remain calm, confident and focused,” the statement said.
The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, in a majority judgement delivered by Justice Okon Abang, affirmed an earlier ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which barred INEC from recognizing the state congresses conducted by committees set up by the David Mark-led caretaker leadership.
Despite the setback, the ADC insisted it remains committed to offering Nigerians a credible political alternative and said it would continue to pursue its objectives through constitutional and legal means.
