Appeal court judgment does not affect ADC primaries, party insists

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has said the Court of Appeal judgment restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from recognising its congress conducted under the leadership of former Senate President David Mark has no effect on the party’s primary elections.

In a statement issued on Monday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC clarified that the appellate court’s ruling relates only to congresses conducted for the election of ward, local government and state executive committees, and not to its direct primaries.

The party disclosed that it had commenced the process of appealing the judgment, which it described as “legally unsustainable.”

According to Mr Abdullahi, the ADC respectfully disagrees with the majority decision of the court and is encouraged by the dissenting judgment delivered by the presiding justice, which, he said, “more accurately reflects the settled position of the law and the party’s position.”

He urged party members and supporters across the country to remain calm and focused despite the ruling.

“We urge all party members and the millions of our supporters to remain calm, confident and focused.

“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,” the statement said.