ADC Chieftain Raises Concerns Over Court Proceedings In Party Leadership Dispute

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Nasarawa State, Comrade Abdullahi Ibrahim Ismael, has raised alarm over the ongoing national leadership dispute in the party, alleging that political interests may be influencing the process.

Speaking with journalists on Wednesday in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Ismael said the matter currently before the Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, should be determined strictly in line with the law and without external pressure.

He said the camp within the party associated with former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola believes its position is supported by previous court decisions relating to internal party administration.

According to him, past Supreme Court decisions have consistently emphasised that issues relating to party leadership and internal affairs should largely be resolved within political parties except where clear legal violations are established. He argued that this principle should guide the handling of the current dispute.

Ismael also claimed that support for Nafi’u Bala’s position had weakened, alleging that some persons previously connected with the matter had either moved on politically or withdrawn their involvement.

Speaking on the wider political environment ahead of the 2027 elections, he expressed concern that divisions within opposition parties could affect political competition.

He further alleged that actions and comments by what he described as influential figures in the APC-led federal government had raised concerns among opposition supporters over the independence of political processes.

The ADC chieftain urged the judiciary to remain impartial and determine the matter based on facts and applicable laws.

He also referred to concerns earlier raised by a group known as the Grassroots Mobilization Network (GMN) over the handling of the case.

Ismael called on Nigerians and political actors to support democratic institutions and allow the legal process to take its course.