Chairman, African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark, has said the Nigerian judiciary is on trial over the recent Federal High Court judegment ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister of five political parties.

Mr Mark spoke at the ADC Strategic Communications Retreat held in Abuja on Tuesday, while reacting to the Federal High Court judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, Mr Mark, said that contrary to public perception, the ADC was not under scrutiny in the ongoing legal controversy.

“The ADC is not on trial. Rather, it is the judiciary that is on trial and the nation is waiting to see how the National Judicial Council will handle this situation,” he said.

According to him, the judge allegedly disregarded an order of the Court of Appeal directing a stay of proceedings in the matter.

The ADC chairman also alleged that Justice Lifu issued conflicting orders concerning the status of the party within a short period.

Mr Mark urged party members not to be discouraged by the development, expressing confidence that the ADC would emerge stronger from the current challenges facing the party.

“Like I have said previously, our members should not worry about the ruling party. We will go through this turbulence because we are up to the task,” he said.

Addressing participants at the retreat, he charged the party’s communication strategists to craft messages capable of attracting wider public support.

He urged them to develop communication strategies that would persuade even members of other political parties to support ADC’s vision.

The former senate president said the party must remain focused on presenting itself as a credible alternative ahead of future elections.

(NAN)