Public commentator Mahdi Shehu has urged the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to temper its enthusiasm following a recent Supreme Court decision. In a message posted on his X account on Thursday, Shehu characterized the legal win as fraught with potential pitfalls, cautioning that undue celebration might lead to complacency.
Rather than a definitive triumph, Shehu described the ruling as a double-edged sword, warning that the ADC could fall into a trap if it eases its guard. He emphasized that the judgment pertains to an interlocutory appeal, not the core of the substantive case, meaning the legal battle remains unresolved.
Shehu noted that the Federal High Court will continue deliberating the main suit, and the Independent National Electoral Commission’s timetable is rigid, irreversible, and governed by the Electoral Act. This timeline could become a critical factor if the case drags on.
He predicted further legal skirmishes, stating that whichever faction—whether aligned with Nafiu or David Mark—loses at the lower court will likely appeal, prolonging the dispute. Even a potential ADC victory at the highest level might prove hollow, Shehu argued, as INEC may have already advanced too far in its preparations to accommodate a latecomer.
“If either the Nafiu or David Mark group loses at the Federal High Court, an appeal to the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court is inevitable,” Shehu wrote. He added that given the strict INEC timeline and the likelihood of extended litigation, a final win could amount to a success in futility, as the electoral body might be unable to reverse its course.
Shehu concluded by advising the ADC to remain vigilant, strengthen its resolve, and prepare for additional political and democratic challenges ahead. “ADC must brace up, tighten its belt and prepare for more democratic and political landmines and explosives,” he stated.