By Luminous Jannamike
ABUJA — The African Democratic Congress, ADC, on Monday insisted that the judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal in Abuja on its internal congresses does not affect candidates produced through the party’s direct primaries.
The party was reacting to Monday’s appellate court judgment in a case involving the election of its ward, local government and state executive committees.
It maintained that the decision has no bearing on candidates who emerged through its direct primary process.
Speaking, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said the opposition party sought to allay concerns over the implication of the judgment on its electoral preparations.
“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,” Abdullahi said.
The ADC said it had already commenced legal steps to challenge the judgment, describing the decision as one it could not accept.
“The Party has already commenced the process of appealing the judgment, which we respectfully disagree with and consider to be legally unsustainable,” he stated.
The party also drew attention to the dissenting opinion of the presiding Justice, saying it aligned with the party’s understanding of the law.
“We also note the dissenting judgment of the presiding Justice, which, in our view, more accurately reflects the settled position of the law and the Party’s position,” the spokesman added.
As the legal process unfolds, the party urged its members and supporters not to be distracted by the court action.
“We urge all Party members and the millions of our supporters to remain calm, confident and focused,” Abdullahi said.
The ADC said it remained committed to pursuing its political agenda despite the litigation.
“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 added.
