The National Working Committee of the African Democratic Congress rose from its meeting in Abuja Tuesday, where it reviewed the 2019 General Elections and strategizes on the way forward casting aspersion on President Muhammadu Buhari , the security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission saying they colluded against the people’s will.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting which was signed by the National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu and the Secretary, Alhaji Said Baba Abdulllahi, the ADC said it will continue to give unalloyed support to the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar who is also the joint Presidential Candidate of the Coalition of United Political Parties in his quest to reclaim his mandate .
“Like most Nigerians, members of ADC believe that the people voted for him (Atiku) to be president. President Buhari, INEC and the various security agencies are merely colluding to circumvent the will of the people. This cannot stand”, ADC said in the communiqué.
ADC further said that the only way Nigeria democracy can remain relevant is if the Nigerian people’s right to vote and elect their political leaders at both the executive and legislative organs are restored.
“The idea that any president elected by the people cannot be voted out of office by the same people at the end of his/her constitutional tenure, irrespective of their performances is antithetical to democracy and must be nipped in the bud.
“The only way the democratic electoral process can be strengthened to continue to serve a relevant role at this stage of Nigeria’s nation building struggle is for the judiciary to play its constitutional role strongly, without fear or favour, in order to stop the excesses of politicians and save the country. We therefore, call on the learned men of the third arm to set to restore power to the people in our democracy. It’s in the best interest of every Nigerian that we do not knowingly bring about the obituary of our democracy”, ADC said.
ADC further called on President Muhammadu Buhari to tender an unreserved apology to Justice Walter Onnoghen and restore him to his position with immediate effect.
The party said: “Any further progression of the torture of this Supreme Court Chief debases Nigeria. The government must learn to operate constitutionally, and accord respect and due courtesies to members of all arms of government, and the generality of Nigerians”.
ADC commiserated with families, friends, associates of those who lost their lives in the violence that marked the elections in many parts of the country.
The party said its strategic goals in the election were not met “because our democracy is tragically challenged.
“ The cause of Democracy was thwarted and the people will were denied the right to exercise their mandate. The Nigerian public and international observers are witnesses to the desperation of the Presidency and state governors, and the abuse and corruption of the entire process
“As a political party, we abhor fraudulent electoral practices. That is why we were the only that set up an organization to address such vices- Coalition of Electoral Integrity (C4E-Intefrity)
