The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has dared President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to face its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in an open election on January 16, 2027, rather than hide behind alleged judicial manoeuvres.
The ADC disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
Recall that the Federal High Court had sacked the ADC leadership led by former Senate President David Mark.
The ADC has appealed the judgment, with the matter pending before the Court of Appeal, while the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, awaits the outcome.
Reacting in a fresh statement, the opposition party said it would expose the alleged machinations behind the transfer of a case that Justice Emeka Nwite had already begun hearing to Justice Peter Lifu.
The ADC explained that despite its formal protest to the Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho, he assigned the case to Justice Lifu the following day.
The party described the decision as evidence of Justice Tsoho’s alleged bias, adding that it culminated in a judgment it characterised as “brazenly rascally” and which, according to the party, must not be allowed to stand.
“Our lawyers have taken the legal questions before the esteemed justices of the Court of Appeal.
“We respect their authority to decide them. We also come before the court of public opinion with the documents that show how this case reached Justice Lifu. Nigerians deserve to know why Justice Nwite was prevented from concluding a case he had already begun hearing.
“The ruling APC should be bold enough to face Atiku Abubakar on the political battleground and answer for the hardship Nigerians endure. The hallowed chambers of our courts must not be turned into arenas for political combat.
“Nigerians must see those who would rather fight their opponent through court manoeuvres than meet him at the ballot box,” the party stated.