Get Guardian on GoogleADC faults timing of Lifu’s judgment release, accuses Tinubu’s APC of sealing Arewa House
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the timing of the release of a duly authenticated copy of Justice Peter Lifu’s judgment, alleging that it leaves the party with little time to study the ruling and prepare its next legal steps.
The party also accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Kaduna State Government of sealing the historic Arewa House to prevent its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, from holding a consultation with Northern stakeholders at the venue on Thursday.
In a statement signed by the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, the party said Justice Lifu released the authenticated judgment on the final day of the seven-day period prescribed by the Constitution.
Citing Section 294(1) of the 1999 Constitution, the ADC noted that courts are required to furnish parties with duly authenticated copies of their judgments within seven days of delivery.
The party, however, said it would study the judgment and pursue all lawful remedies available to it.
It added that the timing of the release raised concerns, particularly against the backdrop of what it described as attempts to obstruct its political consultations and campaign activities.
The ADC alleged that the Kaduna State Government had sealed Arewa House, the proposed venue for Atiku’s consultation with Northern stakeholders, describing the development as an affront to the shared cultural heritage and dignity of the region’s diverse communities.
Quoting Atiku, the party said: “My campaign team had proposed the Arewa House as the venue for our consultation with stakeholders on Thursday and, today, the APC government decided to seal the building.”
The opposition party described the development as part of what it called a pattern of obstruction by the ruling APC, recalling alleged attempts to frustrate its campaign flag-off in Sokoto.
It said supporters had stood firm during the Sokoto incident, insisting that the party would not be intimidated by what it described as efforts to restrict its political activities.
The ADC held President Bola Tinubu and the APC politically responsible for the alleged actions, urging the ruling party to respect democratic competition and the opposition’s right to engage Nigerians.
“An outgoing president and a ruling party should respect democratic competition, not use public authority to impede the opposition, restrict political consultation or weaken Nigerians’ right to choose,” the statement said.
The party thanked Nigerians for their support and solidarity, pledging to continue its consultations, pursue its legal rights and take its political message to the electorate.
