Presidency Reacts as Court Nullifies ADC Decisions, Atiku Primary

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Key Takeaways

The Federal High Court reportedly nullified decisions taken by the David Mark-led ADC National Working Committee.
The affected decisions reportedly included the primary election that produced Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate.
Daniel Bwala, President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, reacted to the judgment on X.
Bwala accused the Mark-led leadership of taking over the ADC undemocratically.
He alleged that the faction violated the party’s constitution, Nigeria’s Constitution and INEC’s Act and guidelines.
Bwala defended the court’s intervention and criticised individuals he described as ADC lobbyists.
Opposition figures reportedly expressed concerns about the implications of the judgment for democracy.

The Presidency has reacted to the reported Federal High Court judgment nullifying decisions taken by the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), including the party’s presidential primary that produced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its candidate.

Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, criticised the ADC leadership following the court’s decision, accusing the faction of violating the party’s constitution and guidelines, as well as Nigeria’s Constitution and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) rules.

Naija News reports that the court, on Thursday, invalidated decisions taken by the ADC National Working Committee (NWC), a development that has generated reactions from politicians across the country.

While opposition figures reportedly warned against attempts to undermine democracy, Bwala took to his X handle to defend the court’s decision and criticise the Mark-led leadership.

Court Nullifies Decisions Of David Mark-Led ADC Leadership

The Federal High Court reportedly invalidated decisions taken by the ADC National Working Committee, including the party’s primary election that produced Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate.

The ruling represents a significant development for the party’s leadership and its preparations for the 2027 general election.

The judgment also generated political reactions, with opposition figures expressing concerns about the implications of the development for democracy and political participation.

However, the supplied report does not provide the full text of the judgment or the court’s detailed legal reasoning.

Presidency Accuses ADC Leadership Of Violating Due Process

Reacting to the ruling, Bwala argued that a political party seeking to govern Nigeria must operate according to due process, fairness and justice.

He criticised the David Mark-led faction, accusing it of taking control of the party’s leadership through an undemocratic process.

Bwala wrote:

A political party that wants to govern Nigeria must be a party of due process, equity and justice.

He further accused the faction of taking over the ADC leadership without following democratic procedures, describing its actions as a takeover carried out secretly.

In his words:

You descended on ADC like a thief in the night, took over its leadership undemocratically and hoped that all is well.

Bwala’s remarks were directed at the manner in which the Mark-led leadership emerged and its alleged failure to follow the party’s internal rules.

Bwala Says ADC Leadership Trampled On Nigeria’s Constitution

The presidential adviser’s strongest criticism centred on what he described as violations of the ADC’s constitution, Nigeria’s Constitution and INEC’s electoral guidelines.

He argued that the party leadership had disregarded established rules and accused its members of assuming that Nigerians would accept the situation without questioning it.

Bwala stated:

You desecrated the party’s constitution and guidelines, you trampled on Nigeria’s constitution and “poopooed” on INEC’s Act and guidelines; and by so doing you lifted a middle finger on Nigerians and think that you would gaslight everyone.

Through the statement, Bwala sought to justify the court’s intervention, maintaining that political parties must respect their internal constitutions and the legal framework governing their activities.

It is important to note that the accusations about constitutional and electoral violations in this statement are Bwala’s political response. They should not be confused with specific findings of the court unless those findings are established by the full judgment.

Presidency Mocks ADC Lobbyists After Court Judgment

Bwala also directed his criticism at individuals he described as lobbyists associated with the ADC leadership, suggesting that they might be expecting financial rewards following their political activities.

He ended his reaction with a remark mocking those he believed were anticipating a payout.

He wrote:

I am sure by now your cash-out lobbyists will be dancing, waiting for a payout.

His comments added to the political exchanges surrounding the court judgment and the leadership dispute within the ADC.

The Presidency’s reaction, as expressed by Bwala, therefore focused on the party’s internal leadership process, constitutional compliance and the implications of the court’s decision.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why did the Presidency react to the ADC court judgment?

The Presidency reacted after a Federal High Court reportedly nullified decisions taken by the David Mark-led ADC National Working Committee, including the primary election that produced Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate.

2. What did Daniel Bwala say about the ADC leadership?

Bwala accused the Mark-led leadership of taking over the party undemocratically and violating the ADC’s constitution and guidelines.

3. Who is Daniel Bwala?

Daniel Bwala is the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication. He reacted to the court judgment through a post on his X handle.

4. What did the Federal High Court rule about the ADC?

According to the supplied report, the court invalidated decisions taken by the ADC National Working Committee, including the party’s primary election that produced Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate.

5. What did Bwala mean when he said the ADC leadership trampled on Nigeria’s Constitution?

He was accusing the Mark-led leadership of disregarding constitutional and legal requirements in its handling of the party’s leadership. This was his characterisation of the situation in reaction to the judgment.

6. Did the court specifically accuse the ADC leadership of violating INEC guidelines?

The supplied report does not establish that as a specific finding of the court. The allegation about INEC’s Act and guidelines was made by Daniel Bwala in his reaction.

7. How did opposition figures react to the ADC judgment?

The supplied report states that opposition figures across the country warned against any attempt to undermine democracy, but it does not identify them or provide their individual statements.