Former Edo State Governor and National Legal Adviser of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator Oserheimen Osunbor, has warned that conflicting court judgments over the party’s leadership dispute could trigger serious political and constitutional complications, recalling how former military ruler Sani Abacha cited conflicting judicial decisions during the removal of Ernest Shonekan’s Interim National Government.
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Key Highlights
- ADC National Legal Adviser Oserheimen Osunbor faulted Justice Peter Lifu’s judgment nullifying the David Mark-led caretaker leadership.
- He said the ruling contradicts three earlier judgments by courts of coordinate jurisdiction on the same dispute.
- Osunbor recalled how Sani Abacha cited conflicting court decisions when Ernest Shonekan’s Interim National Government was removed.
- He insisted the Mark-led leadership remains on solid legal ground and urged ADC candidates to stay focused on 2027.
- He accused the APC of being unsettled by a strong opposition challenge to President Tinubu.
Osunbor issued the warning, while faulting a judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which nullified the David Mark-led caretaker leadership of the ADC and recognised Nafiu Gombe’s position in the party’s leadership dispute.
The former governor described Thursday’s ruling as legally problematic, arguing that it contradicted three earlier judgments delivered by courts of coordinate jurisdiction on the leadership crisis.
He maintained that Justice Lifu ought to have considered the existing judicial pronouncements before delivering a decision that according to him, conflicts with previous rulings on the same dispute.
Osunbor argued that anyone dissatisfied with an existing court judgment should challenge it through an appeal rather than approach another judge of the same court to obtain a contradictory decision.
Osunbor Recalls Abacha, Shonekan Episode
Drawing parallels with Nigeria’s political history, the ADC legal adviser recalled the circumstances surrounding the emergence of General Sani Abacha as head of state after the removal of Shonekan’s Interim National Government, warning against the dangers of conflicting judicial pronouncements in a politically sensitive situation.
Despite the latest judgment, Osunbor insisted that the ADC’s leadership structure remained on a solid legal foundation, defending the process that produced former Senate President David Mark as the party’s national chairman.
He maintained that the transition was conducted in accordance with the ADC constitution and urged party candidates and members not to allow the court ruling to distract them from their political activities and preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Calls For Preventive Diplomacy
Osunbor also raised concerns about what he described as attempts to undermine Nigeria’s democratic process, calling for preventive diplomatic engagement to avert political instability rather than waiting until a crisis escalates.
“We don’t want that. The help we want is to prevent crises from happening,” he said.
He argued that Nigeria should not wait until a breakdown of law and order before the international community is forced to deploy humanitarian assistance, medical supplies and relief materials.
According to him, preventing political conflict should be the priority rather than allowing the country to reach a situation where international humanitarian organisations, including Doctors Without Borders, would have to intervene.
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The former governor further alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was unsettled by the emergence of a strong opposition candidate capable of challenging President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
He questioned the timing of the legal challenge, noting that it came shortly after the ADC’s presidential campaign activities in Sokoto.
The dispute has seen several twists, including an earlier Supreme Court decision restoring Mark’s leadership. For more political updates, follow us on X.
