…As Justice Abdulmalik insists party’s NEC ‘re the rightful body to conduct conventions and congresses

By Olayinka Ajayi

The African Democratic Congress Presidential Candidate in the 2023 presidential election, Mr. Dumebi Kachikwu, has described the nullification of conventions by the Federal High Court in Abuja as ‘kangaroo congresses and conventions.’

In a statement, Kachikwu, while reacting to Justice Joyce Abdulmalik’s judgement in Abuja said, “The judgement has made it clear that these desperados who attempted to hijack our party have failed woefully.”

He added, “Today, a Federal High Court in Maitama nullified the kangaroo congresses and convention conducted by the David Mark-led group.

“In her judgement, which could be classified as a stinging rebuke, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik held that even though this group didn’t have any locus, they proceeded to conduct, in her own words, ‘kangaroo congresses and convention,’ which she proceeded to nullify.

“She also held that, with the lacuna within the leadership of the ADC, the state chairmen of the party who make up the NEC of the party are the rightful body to conduct a national convention and congresses at the different levels and that INEC should recognise them as such.

“I had long warned that the ADC is not for sale and that these political buccaneers would be shown the way out through the same back door they came in from.

“With this judgment, it has become clear that these desperados who attempted to hijack our party have failed woefully. We are aware that they are shopping for other parties to destroy and wish them bon voyage.

“To our party faithful, I urge you to remain vigilant. The battle is not over till it is over.

“The ADC will be on next year’s ballot, and any Nigerian who genuinely desires to salvage Nigeria should see the ADC as a ready home. We shall overcome.”