The Grassroots Mobilisation Network (GMN) a major support group of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said the party is optimistic that the Supreme Court judgment will favour its National Chairman, Sen. David Mark, and National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola.
The group’s spokesperson, Peter Emeka, disclosed this to newsmen shortly after the Supreme Court hearing.
New Telegraph had earlier reported that the Supreme Court had reserved judgment in the case and said a date would be communicated to the parties.
According to Emeka, there is no way the apex court would reverse itself on its own precedents, including a recent judgment involving the Social Democratic Party, SDP, where the court directed the party to resolve its internal disputes.
“Section 83 of the Electoral Act is very clear about this. What our party is facing is purely political, orchestrated by the ruling APC,” Emeka said.
“Nafiu Bala and Hon Leke Abejide are mere dissidents created and funded from the Presidential Villa to create havoc in the ADC.
They are just pawns in the political chess game of the All Progressives Congress (APC) arranged to distract our party,” he added.
Emeka noted that Nafi’u Bala resigned along with other members of the National Working Committee, NWC, in May last year and was present during the NEC meeting that ushered in David Mark and Aregbesola, while Abejide was suspended at his ward, confirmed by his home state, and ratified at the just concluded national convention over alleged disgraceful anti-party activities
He further alleged that the Presidency, through Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, has publicly called for the destruction of the ADC and pledged support to Abejide and Nafiu Bala, signalling that the ruling party is behind the crisis.
Emeka added that during the party’s last convention, foreign envoys were present, including representatives from the UK, China, Norway, and others.
Meanwhile, the suit has generated widespread concern within Nigeria and abroad.
Legal experts, including the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, have thrown their support behind David Mark and Aregbesola.
Emeka said the U.S. Department of State has beamed its searchlight on Nigeria’s judiciary and the ruling party over what he described as the deteriorating state of judgments in the country.
Also on Monday, one of the ADC’s presidential aspirants received the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria at his country home in Onitsha, Anambra State.
Their discussion was said to have centred on the ongoing legal litigation and alleged government interference in opposition party affairs using the judiciary.
