The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has announced that it has instructed its legal team to review the judgment of the Federal High Court that sacked the State Chairmen of the opposition party.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or participating in any congress organised by a disputed caretaker leadership of the ADC. The court also restrained former Senate President David Mark and other party figures from interfering with the functions and tenure of elected state executives.
The ruling followed an originating summons filed by Norman Obinna and six others on behalf of ADC state chairpersons and executive committees. They challenged the legality of actions taken by a caretaker or interim national leadership. The plaintiffs argued that the caretaker body lacked the constitutional authority to organise state congresses or appoint committees for that purpose. They asked the court to affirm their tenure and stop any parallel process.
Reacting via a press statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said it has instructed its legal team to review the said judgment. “The attention of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has been drawn to media reports that the Federal High Court, presided over by Hon. Justice Joyce O. Abdulmalik, has sacked the elected, but yet to be inaugurated, State Chairmen of our party,” Abdullahi said. “It would be recalled that we issued a statement shortly after the congresses stating that the congresses did not truncate the tenure of the current State Executives, which will run their full course before the newly elected State Executives are inaugurated. Nevertheless, the leadership of the ADC has instructed its legal team to review the said judgment and advise the party appropriately.”
