Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has welcomed the decision of the Court of Appeal to stay the execution of a Federal High Court judgment that sought the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties.
Reacting to the development in a post on X on Tuesday, Atiku described the appellate court’s decision as a positive step for Nigeria’s democracy, noting that it was particularly significant that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) initiated the application for the stay of execution.
“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,” he wrote.
The former presidential candidate expressed concern over what he described as conflicting judicial decisions and politically influenced rulings, warning that such developments have placed the nation’s judiciary under increasing public scrutiny.
According to him, the situation validates concerns previously raised by ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark, regarding the state of the judiciary.
“The disturbing spectacle of judicial contradictions and politically charged rulings playing out in our courts has placed the judiciary under intense public scrutiny. As ADC National Chairman, Sen. David Mark, rightly observed, the judiciary itself is now on trial,” Atiku stated.
He further cautioned against any attempt to weaken democratic institutions through what he termed judicial manipulation, arguing that such actions could pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.
“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.
Atiku also urged the judiciary to uphold constitutional principles and restore public confidence in the justice system.
“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,” he added.
The Court of Appeal’s decision temporarily suspends the implementation of the Federal High Court ruling pending the determination of the substantive issues before the court, providing relief for the affected political parties, including the ADC.