A governorship aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Adamawa State, Senator Aishatu Ahmed Binani, has condemned the conduct of the party’s state, local government, and ward congresses, describing them as illegitimate due to a subsisting court order.
Binani made her position known on Monday, April 13, while addressing supporters drawn from the 21 local government areas of the state at a gathering in Yola.
The former senator questioned the legitimacy of the exercise, noting that it was conducted in defiance of an order issued by a High Court sitting in Yola, which directed that the congresses be suspended.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that the court order followed a suit filed by the state chairman of the party, Yohanna Shehu, who alleged that he and members of his executive committee were excluded from the planning of the congresses.
Despite the directive, an ADC committee reportedly went ahead to conduct the exercise over the weekend.
At the rally held at Lamido Cinema in Yola, several of Binani’s supporters expressed dissatisfaction with the development, describing it as a violation of due process.
Responding, the governorship aspirant aligned with their concerns but urged caution as the legal process unfolds.
Binani advised her supporters to remain calm and law-abiding, stressing the need to await the court’s final decision on the matter.
The High Court, while issuing the suspension order, directed all parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit. The case has been adjourned to Wednesday, April 15, for further hearing.
She emphasised that the party and its members must ultimately abide by the court’s ruling, regardless of the outcome.
“If the court eventually decides that the conduct of the congresses is okay despite the order suspending them, we should accept it,” Binani said.