From Michael Ovat, Awka
Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, has expressed unwavering confidence that the Supreme Court will uphold the law in the ongoing leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Monday, which was monitored by our correspondent, the lawmaker maintained that Nigeria’s legal framework and established judicial precedents strictly prohibit courts from interfering in the internal affairs of political parties.
“If the law says that no court in Nigeria shall have jurisdiction to entertain any matter concerning the internal affairs of a political party, there is no way that interference by the court will not be stopped,” Umeh asserted.
The Senator emphasized that both the Electoral Act and a long line of Supreme Court decisions have consistently barred lower courts from adjudicating party leadership matters. He noted that he expects the apex court to remain consistent with its own settled jurisprudence.
“I don’t want to be pessimistic. I will be alive to see how the Supreme Court would now change and confer jurisdiction on the High Courts when their own case laws and decisions have forbidden that,” Umeh remarked.
While acknowledging that legal outcomes can sometimes be unpredictable, Umeh stated he does not believe the apex court will reverse its long-standing position on party autonomy.
He added, however, that should an unexpected verdict arise, the party would have to find a way to move forward.
The ADC has been embroiled in a leadership crisis, leading to multiple litigations as various factions battle for control of the party’s structure.
