According to a report by Trust TV, on Thursday, March 5, 2026, the political landscape in Nigeria is experiencing a period of intense scrutiny as the nation begins its steady march toward the 2027 general elections.
Amidst this atmosphere of heightened political awareness, Lawal Batagarawa, a distinguished chieftain of the African Democratic Congress and a veteran statesman who previously served as the Minister of Education and State for Defence, has voiced significant insights regarding the intersection of legal accountability and political participation.
His commentary comes at a time when the integrity of the judicial process is being weighed against the actions of high-profile political figures across the federation.
One of the primary subjects of this discourse involves the various allegations directed at the former governor of Kaduna State, Nasiru El-Rufai.
While discussing the legal challenges surrounding the former governor, Batagarawa noted the specific nature of the claims being put forward by the relevant authorities.
“Nasiru is accused of making a public statement which is said to have broken the law,” Batagarawa said, pointing to the specific grievances that have entered the public record.
Despite the gravity of these accusations, the former minister was quick to remind the public of the foundational pillars of the Nigerian legal system.
He maintained that the constitutional right to the presumption of innocence remains the bedrock of justice, insisting that no individual should be condemned in the court of public opinion before a court of competent jurisdiction has delivered a formal verdict.
Batagarawa’s perspective reflects a broader concern within the African Democratic Congress regarding the potential for the legal system to be utilised as a tool for political manoeuvring.
The party has recently become more vocal about what it perceives as a trend of selective enforcement, particularly targeting influential leaders within the northwest geopolitical zone.
From the viewpoint of the ADC, it is vital that investigations are conducted with a high degree of transparency to ensure that the public does not view these legal proceedings as mere attempts to sideline political opposition.
Batagarawa warned that if the process of holding leaders accountable appears to be biased or politically motivated, it could inadvertently damage the collective trust that citizens have in the democratic institutions of the country.
The commitment of the ADC to the rule of law serves as a guiding principle for its current political strategy.
Batagarawa reiterated that the party is dedicated to upholding the constitution and ensuring that every Nigerian citizen is afforded the same level of fairness and protection under the law, regardless of their status or political leanings.
This focus on equity is seen as essential for maintaining national stability during the transition periods between administrations.
Furthermore, the ADC is not only focusing on legal advocacy but is also aggressively expanding its grassroots influence.
The party has launched an ambitious nationwide registration initiative with the goal of securing 14 million members.
This movement is designed to position the ADC as a formidable and credible alternative to the current dominant political powers by the time the 2027 elections arrive.
By building a massive and diverse base of supporters, the party hopes to foster a governance model that is both inclusive and strictly accountable to the electorate.
To complement this growth, Batagarawa outlined a comprehensive vision for national progress that the ADC intends to champion.
This vision prioritizes five critical sectors: the restoration of national security, the promotion of unity among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups, the stimulation of sustainable economic growth, the overhaul of the education and healthcare systems, and the strengthening of Nigeria’s presence in international relations.
He argued that focusing on these core areas is the only way to build a prosperous and stable democracy.
As the political clock continues to tick, the call for transparency and the fair treatment of all political actors remain a central theme in the ADC’s message to the Nigerian people….See More
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