The African Democratic Congress has rejected Monday’s judgment of the Court of Appeal in Abuja concerning state congresses conducted by committees appointed by the David Mark-led caretaker leadership of the party.
The party said it had begun the process of appealing the decision, describing the judgment as legally unsustainable.
The Court of Appeal had upheld a lower court order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising state congresses organised by committees set up by the Mark-led ADC caretaker leadership.
In the majority judgment delivered by Justice Okon Abang, the appellate court said it found no reason to set aside the restraining order earlier issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja on April 29.
Reacting to the decision, the ADC, through its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said it respectfully disagreed with the ruling.
The party stated that the judgment only related to congresses for ward, local government and state executive positions.
According to the ADC, the decision does not affect its direct primaries through which candidates for various elective offices emerged across the country.
The party also noted the dissenting judgment delivered by the presiding justice of the panel.
It said the minority judgment better reflected what it considered the settled position of the law and the position of the party.
The ADC urged its members and supporters across Nigeria to remain calm and focused despite the court ruling.
It assured them that the party would continue to pursue its legal options while maintaining its political activities in line with the constitution.
The party said it remained committed to offering Nigerians a credible alternative ahead of future elections.
The development marks another stage in the legal dispute involving the ADC’s internal congresses, party leadership structure and recognition by INEC.
