The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Kaduna State Government of frustrating its political activities, following the alleged sealing of Arewa House ahead of a planned consultation by its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, with Northern stakeholders.
The party also criticised the release of the certified true copy of a judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu on the final day of the seven-day period prescribed by the Constitution, saying the timing leaves it with limited time to study the decision and prepare its next legal steps.
In a statement on Wednesday, signed by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, the party said it would study the judgment and pursue every lawful remedy available.
The ADC cited Section 294(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which requires courts to furnish parties with duly authenticated copies of their decisions within seven days of delivery.
The party, however, expressed concern over what it described as a pattern of actions aimed at frustrating its campaign and political consultations.
It alleged that the Kaduna State Government sealed Arewa House, the proposed venue for Atiku’s meeting with Northern stakeholders scheduled for Thursday. The party described the action as an affront to the heritage and dignity of the people of Northern Nigeria.
Atiku was quoted as saying: “My campaign team had proposed the Arewa House as the venue for our consultation with stakeholders on Thursday and, today, the APC government decided to seal the building.”
The ADC also recalled what it described as an attempt by the APC-led government to frustrate its campaign flag-off in Sokoto, adding that the people stood firm and the party’s activities went ahead.
The opposition party held President Bola Tinubu and the APC politically responsible for what it called a pattern of obstruction, urging the ruling party to respect democratic competition and the opposition’s right to campaign and consult with Nigerians.
“An outgoing president and a ruling party should respect democratic competition, not use public authority to impede the opposition, restrict political consultation or weaken Nigerians’ right to choose,” the statement said.
The ADC maintained that it would not be intimidated, while thanking Nigerians for their support and solidarity.
It added that it would continue its consultations, pursue its legal rights and take its message of a new direction to the electorate.