ADC Rejects Appeal Court Verdict Nullifying Congresses, Heads To Supreme Court
...Party insists ruling does not affect its candidates, says judgment is legally unsustainable
OSAS EMMANUEL
NIGERIA: The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected the judgment of the Court of Appeal nullifying its ward, local government and state congresses, declaring that it has commenced the process of challenging the decision at the Supreme Court.
In a statement issued on Monday, the party insisted that the appellate court’s ruling has no impact on the emergence of its candidates, stressing that all candidates were produced through direct primaries and not the congresses affected by the judgment.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja had earlier delivered a judgment nullifying the party’s congresses for the election of ward, local government and state executive committees.
Reacting to the development, the ADC said it disagreed with the judgment, describing it as legally unsustainable and expressing confidence that the Supreme Court would overturn the verdict.
“The Party has already commenced the process of appealing the judgment, which we respectfully disagree with and consider to be legally unsustainable,” the statement read.
The party also drew attention to the dissenting judgment delivered by the presiding justice, arguing that it more accurately reflected the settled position of the law and the party’s case.
While urging its members and supporters to remain calm, the ADC maintained that the judgment does not invalidate the direct primaries through which its candidates emerged for various elective positions.
“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,” the party said.
The ADC reaffirmed its commitment to offering Nigerians what it described as a credible political alternative, pledging to continue pursuing its objectives in line with the Constitution and the rule of law.
The Supreme Court is now expected to determine the final outcome of the dispute over the party’s congresses.
…Party insists ruling does not affect its candidates, says judgment is legally unsustainable
OSAS EMMANUEL
NIGERIA: The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected the judgment of the Court of Appeal nullifying its ward, local government and state congresses, declaring that it has commenced the process of challenging the decision at the Supreme Court.
In a statement issued on Monday, the party insisted that the appellate court’s ruling has no impact on the emergence of its candidates, stressing that all candidates were produced through direct primaries and not the congresses affected by the judgment.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja had earlier delivered a judgment nullifying the party’s congresses for the election of ward, local government and state executive committees.
Reacting to the development, the ADC said it disagreed with the judgment, describing it as legally unsustainable and expressing confidence that the Supreme Court would overturn the verdict.
“The Party has already commenced the process of appealing the judgment, which we respectfully disagree with and consider to be legally unsustainable,” the statement read.
The party also drew attention to the dissenting judgment delivered by the presiding justice, arguing that it more accurately reflected the settled position of the law and the party’s case.
While urging its members and supporters to remain calm, the ADC maintained that the judgment does not invalidate the direct primaries through which its candidates emerged for various elective positions.
“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,” the party said.
The ADC reaffirmed its commitment to offering Nigerians what it described as a credible political alternative, pledging to continue pursuing its objectives in line with the Constitution and the rule of law.
The Supreme Court is now expected to determine the final outcome of the dispute over the party’s congresses.
