A civil society group, the Alliance for Democratic Rights (ADR), has alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, through the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, is mounting undue pressure on Supreme Court justices to rule against the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Sen. David Mark, and the party’s National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola.
The allegation was contained in a press statement issued in Abuja on Saturday and signed by the group’s spokesperson, Mr. Andy O. Chucks.
According to Mr. Chucks, the Presidency is allegedly using the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to intimidate the justices if they fail to “succumb to the bidding of the Federal Government.” He further claimed that some of the justices are being accused of having a “bad past” as part of the pressure tactics.
Mr. Chucks also alleged that President Tinubu “swore that the ADC must not be on the ballot” for the 2027 general elections.
“Some northern governors of the ruling APC disclosed to our leaders that the President told them he would use the judiciary to scuttle the ADC,” the statement read.
He further alleged that the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, “publicly instructed that the ADC should be scattered.”
The ADR also claimed that during the party’s just-concluded national convention, the government denied the ADC access to all available public venues until a park was secured at the last minute.
Mr. Chucks said tension continues to rise across the country over alleged government interference in opposition parties’ affairs, which he claimed is aimed at paving the way for a one-party system.
He added that legal experts and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) have condemned what he described as “judicial meddling in the affairs of political parties despite a lack of jurisdiction.”
Citing an insider report, Mr. Chucks said the justices are reportedly reluctant to reverse themselves on an issue where the court has delivered a series of judgments, arguing that doing so would erode public confidence in the judiciary a stance that has allegedly angered the Presidency.
He also claimed that the international community has taken interest in the case.
Efforts to reach the Presidency, the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, the EFCC, and the Supreme Court for comment were unsuccessful as of press time.
The Supreme Court has reserved judgment in the ADC leadership suit and stated that a date will be communicated to the parties.
The group called on the judiciary to uphold justice and resist any form of intimidation or interference.
