Politics
Appeal Court judgment: Evidence was concocted in deregistration suit – ADC
By Luminous Jannamike
The African Democratic Congress, ADC, on Tuesday hailed the Court of Appeal’s unanimous decision overturning the Federal High Court judgment ordering its deregistration, saying the appellate court found that trial judge, Justice Peter Lifu, had ‘concocted evidence’ in favour of the plaintiffs.
The ruling effectively ends, for now, the legal battle over the party’s existence, affirming that the ADC remains a duly recognised political party under the Constitution and the Electoral Act and freeing it to focus on its political activities instead of defending its survival in court.
The party made this known in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, who said the appellate court’s decision vindicated the ADC’s long-held position that the suit was legally flawed, unsupported by evidence and incapable of producing a valid judgment.
Abdullahi said: “The ADC also considers as extraordinary the finding by the Court of Appeal that Justice Peter Lifu concocted evidence in resolving the dispute in favour of the plaintiff.
“We believe this goes to the very heart of the integrity of the judiciary and the judicial process. We note that this is the second time in cases involving the ADC that Justice Peter Lifu would be coming under serious indictment by the superior court for wilful disobedience and judicial insubordination and impertinence. We therefore wonder whether such a roundly discredited judge should be allowed to sit on the bench even for a day longer.”
Beyond setting aside the lower court’s judgment in its entirety, the party said the appellate court held that the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing to bring the suit, having failed to establish any personal legal interest beyond speculative claims that they had contested elections in the past and might do so again in future.
“In striking out the case for want of jurisdiction, the Court of Appeal declared that the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate any legal interest peculiar to themselves, relying instead on speculative assertions that they had previously contested elections and might do so again in future, which the court found insufficient to invoke its jurisdiction,” the statement said.
The court also found, according to the ADC, that the plaintiffs failed to prove their claims with credible evidence, while accepting unchallenged evidence from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, that the party had met all constitutional and electoral requirements for its continued existence.
The ruling also addressed the status of the party’s elected representatives, with the ADC saying the appellate court rejected the trial court’s conclusion that its lawmakers had defected to another political party, holding that no evidence was presented to support such a finding despite affidavit evidence showing the party had elected representatives, including three members from Kogi State.
“The Court equally rejected the reasoning adopted by the trial court concerning elected members of the ADC. It would be recalled that despite affidavit evidence showing that the ADC had returned elected representatives, including three members from Kogi State, the trial court concluded that those members had defected to another political party, even though no evidence whatsoever of any such defection existed before the court,” Abdullahi stated.
The party recalled that the Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, later became a party to the suit seeking the deregistration of the ADC and four other political parties, arguing that they no longer satisfied the constitutional requirements for continued recognition under Section 225A of the Constitution.
It added that the appellate court faulted the trial court’s interpretation of the constitutional provision, noting that although the lower court acknowledged the correct legal position, it nevertheless reached conclusions that were inconsistent with both the Constitution and the evidence before it.
“The Court of Appeal therefore concluded that the African Democratic Congress satisfies the constitutional threshold for recognition as a political party and remains fully entitled to continue its political activities under the Constitution and the Electoral Act,” the ADC added.
Describing the ruling as significant beyond the fortunes of the affected political parties, Abdullahi said it reaffirmed the principle that judicial authority must be exercised within the bounds of the law, in obedience to superior court orders and on the basis of evidence properly placed before the court.
He added: “We consider this judgment significant, not merely because it restores the rights of the affected political parties but because it reinforces an enduring constitutional principle: that judicial authority must always be exercised within the bounds of the law, in obedience to superior court orders, and on the basis of evidence properly before it.
“The ADC has always maintained its confidence in the judicial process. We are gratified that the Court of Appeal has reaffirmed the rule of law, corrected a grave miscarriage of justice, and protected the constitutional rights of political parties against unlawful interference.”
Abdullahi said the party would continue to strengthen its structures, deepen democratic participation and offer Nigerians what it described as a credible political alternative.
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The Allied Peoples Movement, APM, has told the government of the day that Nigerians seek and deserve the dividends of democracy rather than the violent deaths of numerous individuals and widespread devastation.
The party made the statement in response to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s acquisition of surveillance aircraft to enhance security operations within the state.
The two DA 42 MNG model aircraft are reported to possess the capability to identify targets from both high and low altitudes.
A statement issued by Dr. Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, the National Chairman of the APM and also the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), emphasized that governance should prioritize the welfare of citizens.
He said that, if utilized effectively, the aircraft would support the efforts of the nation’s security agencies, including the Amotekun Corps, in combating terrorism, banditry, kidnapping for ransom and other criminal activities in Oyo State.
The APM, under which Governor Makinde is reportedly campaigning for the presidency in 2027, urged governments to prioritize the safety of lives and property over political interests.
“The well-being of the populace is the essence of democratic governance,” the party stated. “Nigerians seek and deserve the dividends of democracy, not violence.
“Together, we will establish a robust, stable, progressive, equitable and dignified democratic society that future generations will take pride in.”
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The All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned political appointees serving in President Bola Tinubu’s administration that they must actively support and mobilise for the party or be prepared to leave their positions.
The party’s National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, gave the warning on Wednesday in Abuja while receiving members of the Progressive Local Government Chairmen’s Forum, led by the chairman of Chanchaga Local Government Area of Niger State, Dr Mustafa Jibrin.
The forum briefed the APC chairman on its grassroots mobilisation plans ahead of the 2027 general election.
“You cannot hide behind the claim of being a technocrat to avoid your political responsibilities. If you accept a political appointment, you must also play your role as a politician,” he said.
The APC chairman further said anyone who did not want to participate in politics should not accept a political appointment in the first place.
The APC national chairman urged the local government chairmen to monitor the political performance of government appointees in their communities and report those who were failing to support the party at the grassroots.
According to him, council chairmen are in a better position to know whether political appointees are making meaningful contributions to the party in their wards.
“You know who is delivering politically at the grassroots. An appointee may be performing well in the office, but if they have no political presence in their ward, that is a problem. Anyone who accepts a political appointment must also accept the responsibilities that come with politics,” he said.
Yilwatda stressed that the APC’s success in the 2027 elections would depend on effective grassroots mobilisation rather than administrative performance alone.
He urged the local government chairmen to point out areas where political appointees were underperforming, identify where the party needed to improve, and highlight weaknesses that should be addressed to strengthen the APC’s chances of winning future elections.
“We will give you our full support in your mobilisation efforts. The party will also support the inauguration of your state coordinators and work with you to organise a mass endorsement rally for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in Abuja,” he stated.
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The Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, says joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is like boarding Prophet Noah’s Ark.
Governor Namadi stated this while commenting after receiving the Minority Leader of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, Hon. Kabiru Ibrahim, who defected from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling APC.
Before his defection, Hon. Kabiru Ibrahim, who represents Birnin Kudu Constituency, was the only House of Assembly member from the opposition PDP.
Governor Namadi explained that in Jigawa, anyone interested in politics should join the APC.
“Today in Jigawa, if you want to engage in politics and you are not joining the APC, you are wasting your time.
“Therefore, the APC is like Prophet Noah’s Ark. Once it starts moving, if Allah helps you board, you have to thank the Almighty for giving you the opportunity to join.
“We thank Allah for the tremendous successes He has continued to grant us through the overwhelming support we are receiving from everywhere,” he said.
To Hon. Ibrahim, the governor said, “Your return brings to the end of opposition in the Jigawa State House of Assembly. No more opposition member. The whole state Assembly is now for APC.”
Earlier, Hon. Kabiru Ibrahim said he joined the ruling APC due to its good manifesto and the leadership style of Governor Umar Namadi.
He said that before his defection, he consulted his followers, who all agreed to join him, including some PDP ward and local government executives.
He promised to do his best to ensure the party remained victorious in the coming general election.
The state chairman of the party, Ahmad Garba, assured the lawmaker and other defectors of equal opportunities with other APC members.
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