Atiku
Atiku hails judiciary over ADC leadership ruling, says courts can’t be hijacked
Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has praised the Nigerian judiciary for its courage and independence following a Federal High Court ruling that dismissed a suit challenging the party’s leadership under Senator David Mark.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described the judgment as a triumph for constitutional democracy and the rule of law.
Reacting to the decision delivered by Justice Mohammed Liman in Abuja, Atiku said the ruling reaffirmed the established legal principle that political parties are bound by their constitutions and that internal disputes must be resolved through internal mechanisms.
“The court could not have been clearer. It rightly held that the matter borders on the internal affairs of the ADC, that the Federal High Court lacks jurisdiction, and that the plaintiffs neither exhausted internal remedies nor established locus standi,” he said.
“We commend Justice Liman for refusing to allow the judiciary to be converted into an extension of partisan political warfare.”
Atiku argued that the judgment proved that justice would ultimately prevail despite political pressure.
Quoting an African proverb, he said: “No matter how long the night lasts, the day must surely break. Today’s ruling is another reminder that while political desperation may cast temporary shadows over our democracy, truth and justice will ultimately prevail.”
He further asserted that the ruling came at a time when certain elements in power had sought to destabilise the opposition through various means, including attempts to deregister political parties, sponsor proxy litigations, and manipulate institutions.
“Nigerians have witnessed an orchestrated campaign to weaken opposition politics. Today’s decision is a resounding affirmation that the judiciary remains the last hope of the common man and cannot be intimidated into legitimising political mischief,” Atiku added.
Using another Yoruba proverb, he maintained that repeated litigation could not alter the legitimate leadership of the ADC.
“As the Yoruba wisely say, ‘The fowl that crows at dawn does not make the sun rise.’ Those who imagined that endless litigations could manufacture legitimacy or extinguish the resolve of the ADC have once again been reminded that justice cannot be procured through political intimidation.”
Atiku stressed that the David Mark-led National Working Committee emerged through a lawful and transparent process in line with the party’s constitution, and that no amount of forum shopping or judicial adventurism could change that fact.
He called on party members to remain calm and united, while focusing on the broader mission of rescuing Nigeria from economic hardship, insecurity, and institutional decay under the present administration.
“This victory is not an invitation to triumphalism. Rather, it is a renewed call for all democrats to continue strengthening our institutions and protecting the sanctity of the rule of law,” he said.
Quoting Chinua Achebe, Atiku concluded: “One of the truest tests of integrity is its blunt refusal to be compromised. Today’s decision reflects that enduring principle.”
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