ADC leadership: Atiku hails court ruling, says judiciary can’t be hijacked

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has commended the judiciary for what he described as its courage, independence and fidelity to the Constitution following the dismissal of a suit challenging the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Reacting to the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Liman, which struck out the case challenging the party’s leadership, Atiku, the ADC presidential candidate for the 2027 poll, said the ruling was a victory not only for the ADC but also for constitutional democracy and the rule of law.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former presidential candidate said the court reaffirmed the principle that political parties are governed by their constitutions and that internal disputes must first be resolved through mechanisms provided by the party.

He noted that the court held it lacked jurisdiction over the matter, describing it as an internal affair of the party, while also ruling that the plaintiffs failed to exhaust the internal dispute resolution process and lacked the necessary legal standing to institute the suit.

Atiku praised Justice Liman for refusing to allow the judiciary to become “an extension of partisan political warfare,” saying the ruling demonstrated that the courts could not be used to legitimise political interests.

According to him, the judgment came amid what he described as sustained attempts by political actors to weaken the opposition through proxy litigation and other tactics aimed at destabilising political parties.

He maintained that the National Working Committee led by David Mark emerged through a lawful and transparent process in line with the ADC constitution, insisting that no amount of litigation would alter that position.

The former vice president urged party members to remain united and focused on providing what he described as a credible alternative to Nigerians, while congratulating the David Mark-led leadership on the court victory.

Similarly, the ADC has welcomed the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissing a suit challenging its leadership, describing the decision as a victory for democracy and the rule of law.

The party said the ruling affirmed the emergence of the National Working Committee (NWC) led by David Mark and would enable it to focus on providing alternatives to Nigeria’s economic and security challenges.

In a statement issued on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said Justice M. S. Liman struck out the suit filed by Hon. Leke Joseph Abejide for lack of jurisdiction, holding that the matter was an internal affair of the party

The party expressed hope that the ruling would put an end to what it described as unnecessary litigation and attempts to destabilise the opposition through the courts.

Abdullahi said the decision would allow the party to concentrate on addressing pressing national issues, including insecurity, the rising cost of living, unemployment and declining economic opportunities, rather than being distracted by legal battles.

While welcoming the judgment, the party said it would remain vigilant against what it called anti-democratic forces seeking to weaken the opposition.

The ADC also commended the court for awarding costs against the plaintiff and his lawyers, expressing hope that the decision would discourage what it described as frivolous lawsuits in the future.