By Peter Omopo
Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has welcomed the decision of the Court of Appeal in Abuja to stay the execution of a Federal High Court judgment that ordered the deregistration of the ADC and four other political parties.
Reacting to the ruling in a statement shared on his social media platform, Atiku described the development as a significant victory for democracy and constitutional order, particularly noting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) initiated the application seeking a stay of execution.
He said the appellate court’s decision provided temporary relief for the affected political parties and underscored the importance of adherence to due process in matters relating to Nigeria’s democratic system.
“I welcome the Court of Appeal’s decision to stay the execution of the Federal High Court judgment seeking the deregistration of our great party, the ADC, and four other political parties. It is particularly significant that INEC itself initiated the application for the stay,” Atiku stated.
The former Vice President, however, expressed concern over what he described as growing contradictions in judicial pronouncements, warning that politically sensitive rulings were attracting increased public scrutiny of the judiciary.
According to him, recent developments within the judicial system have raised questions about public confidence in the administration of justice and the protection of democratic institutions.
Atiku referenced earlier remarks by ADC National Chairman and former Senate President, David Mark, who had voiced concerns over the state of the judiciary, noting that the credibility of the justice system remains critical to the survival of democracy.
He cautioned that any attempt to weaken democratic institutions through judicial processes could pose serious risks to national stability and democratic governance.
“Any attempt to undermine Nigeria’s hard-won democracy through judicial manipulation is a grave danger to the Republic. If our democracy suffers further injury, history will demand accountability from those entrusted with dispensing justice,” he said.
The ADC presidential candidate urged members of the judiciary to remain guided by constitutional principles, the rule of law and the public interest in the discharge of their responsibilities.
He maintained that the judiciary still has an opportunity to strengthen public trust by delivering judgments that reflect fairness, independence and fidelity to the Constitution.
“The judiciary still has an opportunity to redeem itself by standing firmly on the side of the Constitution, the rule of law and the Nigerian people,” Atiku added.
The development follows a ruling by the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, which ordered a stay of execution of a Federal High Court judgment directing INEC to deregister five political parties.
The appellate court faulted the decision of the lower court to proceed with the matter despite the existence of pending proceedings before the Court of Appeal, describing the action as inappropriate in the circumstances.
The court subsequently granted the application for a stay of execution, ensuring that the affected political parties retain their legal status pending the determination of the substantive appeal.
The ruling has been widely viewed as a significant development in the ongoing legal dispute over the status of the affected political parties and the powers of the electoral commission regarding party deregistration.
