Deregistration order: “Judiciary is on trial, not ADC”- David Mark

The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Senator David Mark, says the Nigerian judiciary, not the ADC, is the institution currently on trial over the court-ordered deregistration of the party and four others.

In a statement issued Tuesday at the ADC Strategic Communications Retreat in Abuja and signed by Kola Ologbondiyan, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the National Chairman, Mark criticised the handling of the matter by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court. He described recent judicial actions as “unprecedented” and capable of eroding public confidence in the courts.

Contrary to public perception, Mark said the ADC is not the one under scrutiny. “The ADC is not on trial. Rather, it is the judiciary that is on trial and the nation is waiting to see how the National Judicial Council will handle this precarious situation,” he stated.

He expressed concern over what he called unusual judicial conduct, arguing that it was inconceivable for Justice Lifu to disregard an order of the Court of Appeal to stay proceedings and still proceed with the case.

Mark also faulted what he described as contradictory orders by the judge. He alleged that Justice Lifu directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister the ADC, and within 24 hours sat on the Nafiu Gombe suit to put the same party on trial.

“It is strange that a judge can order INEC to pronounce a party dead and in less than 24 hours put the same party on trial,” he said.

The former Senate President urged ADC members not to be discouraged, blaming the development on “the shenanigans of the ruling All Progressives Congress.”

“Like I have said previously, our members should not worry. We will go through all this turbulence because we are up to the task. By the time we are through, ADC will come out stronger,” he stated.

Mark further accused the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of attempting to distract the opposition, saying the APC government was “sinking.”

He charged the party’s communication strategists at the retreat to develop messages that could persuade APC members, including President Tinubu, to support the ADC.

The Federal High Court had recently ordered the deregistration of the ADC and four other political parties. The ruling has triggered strong reactions and renewed debate over judicial independence and Nigeria’s democratic process.