A’Court’s judgment has vindicated us -ADC

From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has described the verdict of the Court of Appeal that overturned the order of  a Federal High Court for its de-registration as a vindication of its position that the suit lacks merit.

The ADC, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, yesterday, said it has consistently maintained from the outset that the proceedings in the suit were fundamentally flawed in law and incapable of producing a valid judgment.

While expressing delight over the judgment, the ADC said it considered it a significant development as it reinforces an enduring constitutional principle that judicial authority must always be exercised within the bounds of the law, in obedience to superior court orders and on the basis of evidence properly before the court.

“We are also delighted that the Court of Appeal further upheld our contention that the plaintiffs lacked the requisite locus standi to institute the action in the first place.

“In striking out the case for want of jurisdiction, the Court of Appeal declared that the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate any legal interest peculiar to themselves, relying instead on speculative assertions that they had previously contested elections and might do so again in future, which the Court had found insufficient to invoke the jurisdiction.

“The appellate court held that the plaintiffs failed to establish their claims by credible evidence. It reaffirmed that INEC, the constitutional regulator of political parties, had placed unchallenged evidence before the court confirming that the ADC satisfied the constitutional and electoral requirements for its continued existence.

“The Court equally rejected the reasoning adopted by the trial court concerning elected members of the ADC. It would be recalled that despite affidavit evidence showing that the ADC had returned elected representatives, including three members from Kogi State, the trial court, in giving its now discredited judgment, concluded that those members had defected to another political party, even though no evidence whatsoever of any such defection existed before the court.”

In a related development, the ADC’s National Chairman, David Mark, in a separate statement by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, described the judgment as a triumph of democracy and rule of law.

According to him, the judgment had restored confidence in the nation’s judiciary and reaffirmed that the courts remained the last hope of the common man and a dependable guardian of democratic values.

“The verdict is a reassuring reminder that our judiciary can still rise above pressure and protect democracy, political pluralism and the constitutional rights of citizens and political parties.

“Our attention now returns fully to building a stronger, more united and people-oriented political platform that will offer Nigerians a credible alternative in 2027. We must remain steadfast, disciplined and committed to the task ahead,” he said.