The Forum of African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidates has called on the appellate court to review the judgment of Justice Peter Lifu affecting the party’s national leadership.

The governorship candidate for ADC in Kwara, Zakari Mohammed, who spoke on behalf of other candidates at a news conference on Thursday in Abuja, said the Nov. 5 judgment  threatened multiparty democracy and Nigeria’s 2027 electoral process.

The candidates urged the African Union, ECOWAS, United Nations, Commonwealth, and international democratic institutions to monitor developments concerning opposition parties ahead of Nigeria’s general elections.

Mohammed said the Federal High Court judgment nullified the ADC leadership under Sen. David Mark and invalidated decisions taken under him.

He said the decision raised concerns about judicial consistency, political participation and the independence of democratic institutions, with implications extending beyond the party’s internal affairs.

“We call on appellate courts to examine the judgment and determine issues in accordance with the constitution, judicial precedents and rule of law,” he said.

The candidates said the judgment conflicted with Justice Musa Liman’s earlier ruling of July 2,  that recognised the David Mark-led leadership.

They questioned how a court of coordinate jurisdiction could reach a decision in spite of the earlier judgment and called on the appellate courts to resolve the legal issues promptly.

“No political party should be denied the law’s protection, and the law must be applied consistently, impartially and without discrimination at all times,” Mohammed said.

They called for protection of ADC members’, candidates’ and supporters’ constitutional rights, while urging INEC to remain impartial and independent in discharging its responsibilities.

The candidates demanded guarantees of an electoral environment where all eligible parties could organise, campaign and participate without discrimination, intimidation, or politically motivated obstruction across the country.

They urged the executive and political actors to refrain from actions capable of intimidating or compromising the judiciary, insisting that judicial independence must be respected.

The forum called on the African Union, ECOWAS, United Nations, Commonwealth and other democratic institutions to monitor Nigeria’s political environment and treatment of opposition parties.

Mohammed said Nigeria’s international commitments, including the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, required respect for political pluralism, popular participation and credible elections.

He warned that accumulated political and legal controversies could restrict voters’ choices if opposition parties were weakened before the 2027 general elections.

“An election is not credible simply because voting takes place, parties must organise, candidates must campaign and citizens should associate freely,” he added.

The candidates urged ADC members and supporters to remain calm and law-abiding while the party pursued available legal remedies, stressing their commitment to constitutional processes.

“We shall not surrender our democratic rights, but neither shall we abandon the constitutional path. Our commitment to democracy is not negotiable,” Mohammed emphasised

According to the forum,Nigerians, not political parties or judicial controversies, must determine who governs, stressing that Nigeria must remain a democracy and not a political monarchy.(NAN))
NY/KOO
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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa