The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly condemned what it described as desperate attempts to manipulate the judiciary following the indefinite adjournment of its internal leadership dispute.
In a statement issued on Friday and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party alleged that plaintiff Nafiu Bala Gombe and his backers are engaging in forum shopping after becoming dissatisfied with the pace of proceedings.
The ADC said the plaintiff’s sudden request for the case to be reassigned to another judge, just days after the Supreme Court cleared the way for accelerated hearing, exposes a calculated plot.
“It is curious, if not outright laughable, that a plaintiff who claims to want justice is now running away from the speedy hearing of his own case,” the party stated.
The opposition party claimed the move confirms earlier fears that agents of the Federal Government, allegedly coordinated by a “notorious federal minister,” are working behind the scenes to influence the outcome.
“Having received the letter written by Bala requesting the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to reassign the case to another judge, it has now been proven beyond all reasonable doubt that the sinister plot… is indeed afoot,” Abdullahi said.
The ADC further criticised the indefinite adjournment, arguing it contradicts clear directives from the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court for speedy trial of the matter.
“The attempt to seek an indefinite adjournment after the clear direction of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court for a speedy trial… raises serious questions about the willingness of the lower courts to obey express orders from superior courts,” the statement added.
The party warned that such actions risk turning the judiciary into “a shopping mall where you pick and choose judges suitable for your political schemes.”
It maintained that no litigant has the right to dictate which judge should hear their case simply because proceedings are not going their way.
The ADC reaffirmed its commitment to the rule of law while urging protection of judicial independence from political interference.
The leadership tussle between the David Mark-led National Working Committee and challenger Nafiu Bala Gombe continues to paralyse the party’s national structure as political realignments intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
