- Safiu Kehinde
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has hailed the Abuja Federal High Court’s judgement dismissing the suit filed against the David Mark-led leadership of the party by Kogi lawmaker, Leke Abejide.
NPO Reported that the court, in a judgment delivered on Thursday by Justice Musa Liman held that the suit challenging Mark’s leadership of the ADC lacked merit.
Justice Liman ruled that the court had no jurisdiction to interfere in the internal affairs of the political party.
According to the court, the matter was non-justiciable because it concerned the internal affairs of the ADC, an area in which courts are generally reluctant to intervene unless a clear breach of statutory provisions or constitutional rights is established.
The judge also upheld the preliminary objections raised by the ADC, its former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu, Mark, and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who currently serves as the party’s National Secretary.
He ruled that Abejide failed to establish that any of his legal rights had been violated by the emergence of the Mark-led leadership.
The judge also held that the lawmaker lacked the legal standing to institute the suit, adding that he did not exhaust the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms before approaching the court.
Abejide and his counsel were also slammed fine by the court.
While the lawmaker is to pay N2 million fine each to all the defendants in the suit, his lawyer was fined N10 million.
Reacting to the development in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described the ruling as a victory to multiparty democracy in Nigeria.
Abdullahi said the ruling affirmed the ADC’s stance on non-interefence in parties internal affairs.
“The African Democratic Congress (ADC) welcomes this judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, striking out the suit for want of jurisdiction, while also dismissing the Plaintiff’s claims on their merits.
“This judgment, once again, affirms our clear position that the issue of leadership remains an internal affair of the party and is therefore not justiciable, especially in the light of the Electoral Act, 2022; and that the emergence of the current leadership of our great party, led by Senator David Mark, was carried out in accordance with the law and the Constitution of the ADC.
“While we view this ruling as yet another victory for multiparty democracy in Nigeria, it is our hope that this judgment will help bring to an end all the unnecessary distractions and attempts at judicial manipulation by those who are hell-bent on destabilising the opposition and foisting a one-party rule on the country.” The ADC National Publicity Secretary wrote.
Abdullahi commended Justice Liman over the ruling, particularly the fine imposed on Abejide and his lawyers.
“We commend the courage shown by the presiding judge in standing firmly on the side of justice.
“We commend, especially, the Judge’s decision to award fines against the Plaintiff and his lawyers, hoping that this measure will serve as a deterrent to those who may want to pursue such frivolous actions in the future.
“We thank our members, supporters and millions of Nigerians who have continued to stand with the party. We urge them to remain focused, united and confident as we continue this journey together.” He wrote.
Meanwhile, tge ADC chieftain reiterated that the party with not be swayed by contrived legal challenges while charging the party members to remain vigilant.
“At a time when millions of Nigerians are confronted daily with worsening insecurity, an unbearable cost of living, rising unemployment and declining economic opportunities, our responsibility as a serious opposition party is to present practical solutions as alternatives to the people, not to be bogged down by contrived legal challenges.
“Even as we celebrate this victory in court, we remain vigilant, convinced that anti-democratic forces remain active and motivated to continue to pursue their inglorious agenda against the Nigerian people.” Abdullahi said.