…says ‘all eyes on Nigeria’s judiciary
A civil society organisation, the Alliance for Democratic Rights (ADR) has called on the Supreme Court, as the apex arbiter on any dispute to ensure justice in the leadership case in the opposition, African Democratic Congress (ADC) pending before it.
The group, who made this call in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, by its Convener, my Chief Olayinka Yusuf on Monday, said, “All eyes are on Supreme Court justices”.
Yusuf noted that the apex court must toe the line of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act to dispense justice in the case.
This is as he cited Section 83 of the Electoral Act, which exempts judicial interference in party affairs, stressing that the Supreme Court has repeatedly held that internal leadership disputes are non justiciable and fall within the exclusive domain of political parties.
New Telegraph reports that the call followed insinuations in the political circles that the Presidency is behind the ADC crisis.
Speaking further, he referenced reports that the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, publicly directing Hon. Leke Abejide to “Scatter” the ADC and promised to support Nafiu Bala Gombe, a claimant in the leadership dispute.
“It will be a mockery of our judiciary if the Justices of the Supreme Court reversed themselves and make Nigeria a laughing stock.
“The international community has so much interest in this particular case because of the pressure on the judiciary,” he added.
He alleged that it is “no longer a hidden issue” that Supreme Court justices are under “undue pressure to turn the law upside down” and remit the case to the Federal High Court for a fresh hearing a move he said would contradict both Section 83 and the court’s own precedents.
“The law is settled. Internal crisis of any political party is an internal affair,” Chief Yusuf added.
He warned that any deviation from established precedents would undermine public confidence in the judiciary ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Recall that the Supreme Court had earlier reserved judgment in the ADC leadership dispute between Sen. David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola leadership and Nafiu Bala, a claimant to the ADC chairmanship.
A date for the decision has not been announced.
