The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has accused the African Democratic Congress (ADC) of trying to drag the judiciary into political controversy by suggesting that a court judgement on its leadership crisis was influenced by its recent campaign rally in Sokoto.
The group described the claim as misleading, mischievous and dangerous, coming from people who say they want to build strong institutions in the country.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Emeka Nwankpa, and Secretary, Dapo Okubanjo, TMSG said it was irresponsible to push a false narrative that the rally forced the hand of the court.
The judgement removed the David Mark-led leadership of the party and invalidated the candidacy of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for the January 16, 2027, presidential election.
The statement said: “It is interesting that a party which, in one breath, claimed it had reasons to believe that the judgment which sacked the African Democratic Congress (ADC)’s national executive led by former Senate President David Mark was written long before now, and in another breath claimed it was a response to a campaign rally which held less than 24 hours earlier.”
TMSG found it laughable that the ousted leadership appeared unsure of what to believe about the judgement delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The court upheld the suit filed by the party’s former National Deputy Chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe, challenging the process through which Mark and other members of the then caretaker committee took charge of the party.
According to the group, instead of reflecting on the gangster-like manner in which they took over the ADC, the party’s leaders resorted to needless sentiments and gaslighting the nation because the outcome of the suit did not favour them.
TMSG noted that the same people celebrated and hailed the judiciary in April this year, when the Supreme Court vacated a status quo ante bellum order by the Appeal Court on the leadership dispute.
That order had led the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw recognition from the Mark-led executive committee.
Although the apex court directed both parties to return to the Federal High Court for speedy hearing of the matter, the group said its order to INEC to recognise Mark as party chairman drew high praise from the party’s leaders.
The statement added: “So it is worrisome that now that the Federal High Court, Abuja, has ruled in favour of the other party in the dispute, the losing faction has now resorted to blackmail. We believe that rather than issue subtle threats of violence, they should simply do what they say they will do; wait for the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment and proceed to the Appeal Court.”
The group said it was wrong for people who once benefitted from the judiciary to turn around and malign the same institution after losing a case.
Insisting that the ADC has irretrievably departed from the path of order, decency and the rule of law, TMSG urged Nigerians to be wary of the unstable character and antics of the party ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
