Keyamo Slams David Mark's ADC Faction for Emotional Blackmail Tactics
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), has strongly criticized the African Democratic Congress (ADC) faction led by former Senate President David Mark, accusing it of employing emotional reasoning and blackmail to navigate a legal predicament of its own making. Keyamo emphasized that the law operates on facts and evidence, not sentiment or political maneuvering.
INEC's Derecognition and Legal Implications
This statement follows the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) decision to derecognize the David Mark-led faction of the ADC. Keyamo responded to the faction's rejection of INEC's move, stating that arguments about maintaining the status quo ante bellum are futile. He highlighted that the core issue is a pending court case challenging the party's leadership takeover by a duly elected Deputy National Chairman.
Keyamo warned that as long as this case remains unresolved in court, all actions by either faction could become invalid after INEC's deadline for candidate nominations. This poses a significant risk that the ADC may end up with no candidates for the upcoming election, underscoring the gravity of the legal standoff.
Keyamo's Advice and Criticism
Instead of condemning INEC, Keyamo suggested that the ADC should appreciate the commission's timely action in derecognizing both factions before the nomination window closed. He noted that INEC's decision serves as a crucial warning, providing the party with opportunities to:
- Find a new, risk-free political platform.
- Seek an accelerated hearing for the court case.
- Quickly resolve the internal leadership dispute.
Keyamo dismissed the faction's strategy of blaming imaginary opponents or INEC as purely mischievous. He pointed out that neither the All Progressives Congress (APC) nor INEC influenced the faction's decision to hijack an existing platform without proper legal counsel or leadership consensus.
Regarding the faction's plan to proceed with congresses and conventions despite INEC's decision and a Court of Appeal ruling, Keyamo remarked, "That is fine by us. Never interrupt your opponent when he is making a mistake." This comment reflects his view that the faction's actions may lead to further legal and electoral complications.
Broader Political Context
This development highlights ongoing tensions within Nigeria's political landscape, where internal party disputes and legal challenges can significantly impact electoral preparedness. Keyamo's remarks underscore the importance of adherence to legal frameworks over emotional appeals in political processes.
