Former Rivers State Governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, has accused Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, of withholding the judgment that nullified the party’s leadership and the nomination of Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
Amaechi said the party has been unable to obtain the certified true copy of the judgment despite applying for it and paying the required fees, a development he said is frustrating the ADC’s move to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, Amaechi said:
“We can’t even see the judgment. He needs to hand over the judgment to us so that we can head to the Court of Appeal. He disappeared with the judgment. He is yet to hand it over to us despite the fact that we have applied.”
Justice Lifu had on November 5 nullified the David Mark-led ADC leadership and decisions arising from its disputed National Executive Committee meeting, including the process that produced Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate.
The ADC has since filed a notice of appeal and an application for a stay of execution.
On Monday, the party complained that its lawyers were yet to receive certified copies of the judgment. Its Presidential Campaign Council said the delay was hampering its ability to study the court’s orders and fully pursue its legal challenge.
Amaechi also questioned the conduct of the proceedings, particularly the handling of the issue of jurisdiction, and expressed surprise that the party’s lawyers had not challenged the judge’s approach.
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He drew parallels between the ADC’s legal difficulties and the circumstances surrounding the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election won by the late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.
“Every time you have the opposition making any progress in Nigerian politics, there is always somebody in the judiciary that will do one thing or the other. It happened to Abiola,” Amaechi alleged.
He maintained that national interest should take precedence over political considerations in the administration of justice.
The ADC has rejected the November 5 judgment and expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal will overturn it. The party has urged its supporters to remain calm and continue campaigning while the legal challenge proceeds.
The dispute originated from a suit filed by former ADC Deputy National Chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe, who challenged the legitimacy of the David Mark-led leadership.
The Federal High Court’s decision has since intensified uncertainty over the party’s preparations for the 2027 presidential election.