A public commentator, Mahdi Shehu, has cautioned the African Democratic Congress (ADC) against celebrating too early following a recent Supreme Court judgment.
In a post shared on his official X handle on Thursday, Shehu described the party’s court victory as pregnant with risks and warned that it could become a trap if the party relaxes.
“ADC, its members and sympathisers may have reason to celebrate today’s Supreme Court judgment,” he wrote.
“But looking closer at the stakes, the judgment is pregnant and a trap set for the ADC to relax.”
He explained that the ruling is not the final word on the matter, noting that the Supreme Court judgment is on interlocutory appeal and not a final judgment on the substantive suit.
According to him, the legal battle is far from over as the Federal High Court will continue to hear and determine the substantive suit.
Shehu also pointed to the tight schedule of the electoral body, stressing that “INEC timetable is time-bound, strict and irreversible because it is guided by the provisions of the Electoral Act.”
He warned that more legal hurdles are likely ahead, especially if either faction involved in the dispute loses at the lower court.
“If either Nafiu or David Mark group loses at the Federal High Court, an appeal to the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court is inevitable,” he said.
He added that even if ADC eventually wins the case at the highest level, the timing could work against the party.
“From the strict INEC timetable and the likelihood of the matter not being disposed of up to the Supreme Court, even if ADC succeeds, it would have a success in futility,” he stated.
He explained that by then, the Independent National Electoral Commission may have gone too far in its preparations to reverse decisions in favour of a late comer.
“Therefore, ADC must brace up, tighten its belt and prepare for more democratic and political landmines and explosives,” Shehu advised.
