ADC alleges pressure on Supreme Court over party dispute
By Ariyo Zainab
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the Federal Government and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to address allegations of undue pressure on the Supreme Court of Nigeria justices over an ongoing party leadership dispute.
The call was made by stakeholders under the Grassroots for Mobilisation Network, through its spokesperson, Peter Emeka, in Abuja on Sunday.
Emeka alleged attempts to influence the outcome of a pending Supreme Court judgment, including claims of interference and the purported leakage of a decision yet to be delivered.
“The whole world is watching the ongoing developments concerning the fate of opposition parties in the country,” he said.
He described the absence of an official response from the APC and the Presidency as concerning and urged both to clarify their positions to reassure Nigerians about the independence of the judiciary.
“It is surprising that, up to this moment, there has been no official response to these allegations,” Emeka said.
The group also cited reports alleging that the Presidency directed a member of the House of Representatives to remain within a political party to destabilise it, warning that such actions, if proven, could undermine democratic principles.
Emeka said failure to address the allegations could weaken public confidence in judicial institutions and called on the international community to monitor developments.
There was no official response from the Presidency or the APC as of press time. Legal analysts said party leadership disputes are often treated as internal matters, noting that courts, particularly the Supreme Court, typically exercise caution in such cases.
They added that judicial independence remains central to Nigeria’s democratic system and cautioned against actions that could erode public trust.
Political party disputes in Nigeria have frequently reached the courts, with the Supreme Court serving as the final arbiter. Observers say perceptions of judicial independence are critical to maintaining confidence in democratic processes.