Former Chief Justice of Nigeria Olukayode Ariwoola has urged political parties and their members to abide by the rules ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ariwoola spoke on Wednesday in Abuja on behalf of the Governing Council of the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development, which he chairs.
He issued the admonition when the Centre’s Governing Council — known as the “Council of the Wise” — paid a courtesy visit to the national headquarters of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The visit formed part of the Centre’s ongoing engagement with political parties and leaders ahead of the elections, with Ariwoola stressing the need for all stakeholders to support free, fair and credible polls.
The retired Chief Justice urged the ADC leadership to ensure that its candidates and members comply with the rules of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and shun all forms of political violence.
Responding, ADC National Chairman Senator David Mark assured the delegation that the party was committed to playing by the rules and conducting its activities in a manner that would strengthen public confidence in democracy.
“We are committed to playing politics in a manner that promotes public confidence in democracy,” Mark said. He added that the ADC would comply with INEC’s guidelines and its own code of conduct as set out in the party’s Orange Book, but warned that adherence to the rules must be reciprocal.
“We hold ourselves to the highest standards of good conduct as a political party. We will play by the rules. But we will not accept rigging or allow ourselves to be rigged out,” Mark declared.
Ariwoola was accompanied by members of the Savannah Centre’s Governing Council, including Prof. Abdullahi Shehu, Prof. Azeez Musa Dankano, Ambassador Sani Bala, Mr. Tunji Lardner and Ambassador Godswill Ighali, among others.
