Deregistration: Judiciary, not ADC on trial over — David Mark

By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA – The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has said that the Nigerian judiciary, rather than the ADC, is currently on trial over the controversy surrounding the deregistration of the party and four others.

The Federal High Court recently ordered the deregistration of the ADC and four other political parties, sparking strong reactions from the affected parties and renewed debate about judicial independence and the state of Nigeria’s democracy.

Speaking at the ADC Strategic Communications Retreat in Abuja on Tuesday, the former Senate President criticised Justice Peter Lifu’s handling of matters involving the party, describing recent judicial actions as unprecedented.

According to Mark, contrary to public perception, the ADC is not the institution under scrutiny.

“The ADC is not on trial. Rather, it is the judiciary that is on trial and the nation is waiting to see how the National Judicial Council (NJC) is going to handle this precarious situation,” he said.

He expressed concern over what he described as unusual judicial conduct, saying it was inconceivable that Justice Lifu, or any judge for that matter, would allow himself to be used for what he termed a “hatchet job”, including, he alleged, disregarding an order of the Court of Appeal staying proceedings in the case.

Mark also faulted what he described as contradictory judicial orders, alleging that Justice Lifu directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to pronounce the ADC dead and then, less than 24 hours later, presided over proceedings involving the same party in the Nafiu Gombe case.

“It is strange that a judge can order the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to pronounce a party dead and in less than 24 hours put the same party on trial,” he said.

The ADC chairman, however, urged party members not to be discouraged by the development, which he attributed to alleged machinations by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Like I have said previously, our members should not worry about the shenanigans of the ruling party. We will go through all these turbulence because we are up to the task. By the time we are through all these, ADC will come out stronger,” he stated.

He also accused the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of attempting to distract the opposition, claiming the APC-led government was “sinking”.

Addressing participants at the retreat, the former Senate President charged the party’s communication strategists to develop messages capable of persuading members of the APC, including President Bola Tinubu himself, to support the ADC.

The remarks were contained in a statement signed by Kola Ologbondiyan, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the ADC National Chairman.

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