ABUJA, Nigeria – The National Publicity Secretary of Nigeria’s African Democratic Congress, Bolaji Abdullahi, rejected a ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday that directed the country’s Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister the political party.
Okay News reports that Abdullahi described the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu regarding the deregistration of the party and four others as a politically motivated move aimed at damaging public confidence in the judiciary.
The court ruled the affected political parties failed to meet constitutional requirements and breached provisions of Section 225 of the 1999 Constitution. Abdullahi stated the legal action was driven by political considerations triggered by the recent emergence of former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi as the party’s vice-presidential candidate.
“We actually don’t think it’s legal. What is unfolding is political. The court is just the vehicle for promoting the political agenda,” Abdullahi said during an interview with ARISE NEWS.
Abdullahi questioned the validity of the proceedings by noting the Court of Appeal had previously directed the lower court to halt the matter.
“The Court of Appeal has ordered the Federal High Court to stay proceedings on this matter until October 27,” he said.
The electoral commission previously informed the court through an affidavit that the political party met all constitutional requirements for continued existence over the past two decades. Abdullahi added the party will defend its legal status and challenge any attempt to remove it from the political landscape.
