The political consequences of a judgment do not automatically establish that the decision was influenced or manipulated
The party said judicial decisions should be assessed based on their legal merits rather than political interests, warning against attempts to portray every court ruling unfavourable to opposition parties as evidence of interference by the Presidency.
The NNPP Board of Trustees Chairman and founder, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, stated this in a statement issued on Monday, expressing concern over what he described as the growing tendency to politicise judicial decisions.
Aniebonam argued that criticism on social media and political commentary could not overturn court judgments, adding that individuals who approach the courts to seek redress were exercising their constitutional rights.
He observed that judicial officers were often praised when their decisions favoured particular political interests but accused of bias when their rulings produced unfavourable outcomes.
According to him, the political consequences of a judgment do not automatically establish that the decision was influenced or manipulated.
He maintained that allegations of executive interference or compromise within the judiciary must be supported by credible evidence and subjected to proper investigation.
The NNPP chieftain also distinguished between challenging the legal reasoning behind a judgment and questioning the integrity of the judge who delivered it, stressing that allegations against judicial officers required substantial evidence.
His comments followed the November 5 judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which invalidated the leadership structure of the ADC under former Senate President David Mark and nullified decisions taken by the affected leadership.
The ruling also affected the process through which former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar emerged as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 elections.
In the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, the court declared the Mark-led Caretaker Committee illegal and nullified the procedure through which it conducted the party’s presidential primary.
The court also set aside the emergence of former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, as National Secretary, alongside the appointments of other national officers and nominations of candidates presented by the affected leadership.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, was instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC Deputy National Chairman (North-East), who challenged the process through which Mark and other members of the caretaker committee assumed control of the party.
Aniebonam advised the affected ADC leaders to pursue available legal remedies, including an appeal to the Supreme Court and an application for a stay of execution, to protect their political interests ahead of the elections.
He recalled that the NNPP had also experienced prolonged internal leadership disputes that resulted in litigation but said the party did not blame the Presidency for its challenges.
He explained that the party pursued its legal battles until the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) complied with relevant court orders and recognised the leadership it considered legitimate.
The NNPP founder urged political parties to strengthen internal dispute resolution mechanisms, noting that disagreements, particularly over primary elections, should be addressed internally before escalating into prolonged legal battles.
He also cautioned media organisations against amplifying inflammatory political statements capable of creating tension and damaging Nigeria’s international image.
Aniebonam appealed to political leaders and Nigerians to exercise restraint, promote national unity and resolve political disagreements through lawful and constructive engagement as preparations for the 2027 general elections intensify.