Former Vice President, Abubakar Atiku has reacted to the Court of Appeal’s decision to stay the execution of the order the Federal High Court seeking the deregistration of the Africa Democratic Congress, ADC, and four other parties.
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court had, on Monday, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to deregister the parties for failing to win the required seats in the legislature in the last election.
Justice Lifu’s order followed a suit brought before him by the forum of former legislators.
However, the Court of Appeal, on Tuesday, ordered stay of execution on Justice Lifu’s decision, giving a lifeline to the parties.
Atiku, who welcomed the Court of Appeal’s decision, wrote on his X handle @Atiku, that it was significant that INEC itself initiated the application for the stay.
He said, “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.
“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.
“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,” the former vice president said.
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