The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed strong approval of a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja that addressed contentious issues regarding deadlines for party primaries and other provisions within the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) regulations.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described the judgement as a validation of concerns it had previously raised against certain aspects of the electoral guidelines when they were first introduced. The party noted that it had strongly opposed provisions relating to timelines for membership registration and the conduct of party primaries, arguing that some sections conflicted with constitutional provisions.
The ADC said the court’s decision on the disputed areas confirmed the legitimacy of its objections and reinforced the need for electoral regulations to align strictly with the Constitution. The opposition party further welcomed the aspect of the ruling that removes restrictions affecting politicians seeking to contest elections on alternative political platforms, describing it as a boost for freedom of association and democratic participation.
The party also claimed that the regulation had been intended to discourage defections from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), adding that the court’s verdict could trigger fresh political realignments ahead of future elections. “We are sure that, in the coming days, we will witness a mass exodus from the ruling party,” the statement added.
This ruling is seen as a significant victory for the ADC and other opposition parties, potentially reshaping the political landscape as the next electoral cycle approaches. The ADC’s leadership urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue supporting democratic processes that uphold the rule of law.
