The National Legal Adviser of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Professor Oserheimen Osunbor, has described the court ruling against the party’s leadership as an attempt to weaken support for its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and discourage Nigerians looking to the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking during an interview with Arise News on Thursday, Osunbor alleged that the legal challenge was part of efforts to undermine the ADC, accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of backing the case. He, however, urged Nigerians and party members not to be distracted by the judgment.
“This is an attempt to dampen the morale of Nigerians that are looking to ADC and our presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar as someone who will rescue us from the sufferings in the land, the insecurity, the poverty, the neglect, the disrespect for the right of Nigerians to choose their leaders,” he said.
Osunbor argued that some political interests believed Nigeria’s leadership should be determined by a few people using the judiciary and other government institutions, rather than through the votes of citizens.
“Democracy is supposed to be a government where you and I will cast vote,” he said.
Osunbor Alleges APC Backing For Legal Challenge
The ADC legal adviser also alleged that the case challenging the David Mark-led leadership was sponsored by interests within the ruling APC.
He suggested that the claimant, Nafiu Balogombe, might not have pursued the case without such backing.
“Gombe had resigned. If he wasn’t being sponsored by the ruling party, by people, he may not even have gone to court at all,” Osunbor said.
He also questioned the reassignment of the case from Justice Emeka Nwite to Justice Peter Lifu, alleging that the process raised concerns about the handling of the matter.
Osunbor maintained that the objective of the legal challenge was to prevent the ADC from fielding candidates in the 2027 elections.
“What their target really is the primaries. They don’t want ADC to be able to field a candidate,” he said.
ADC To Challenge Judgment
Osunbor said the party had not received the certified true copy of the judgment and would review it before deciding on its next legal steps.
He said the ADC intended to file a motion for stay of execution and appeal the ruling at the Court of Appeal.
“First of all, we have to bring a motion for stay of execution,” he said.
Despite the ruling, Osunbor insisted that Atiku’s presidential ticket remained valid, citing earlier court decisions which he said had upheld the David Mark-led National Working Committee.
Asked whether the party had an alternative candidate if its appeal failed, he described the question as hypothetical, saying the party had not held a formal meeting to consider the judgment.
He urged ADC members and supporters to continue with the party’s activities, insisting that the court ruling should not weaken their confidence in the party.
Ademide Adebayo
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