ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The African Democratic Congress (ADC), has hailed the Supreme Court judgment affirming David Mark as its National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, describing the ruling as a decisive validation of its leadership amid a lingering internal crisis.
In a statement signed on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the apex court’s decision laid to rest questions surrounding its leadership structure.
“Today’s decision is a clear affirmation that our party, its structures, and its leadership under our National Chairman, Senator Mark, and our National Secretary, Ogbeni Aregbesola, are legitimate.”
The party further commended the judiciary, noting that the unanimous ruling “has today done great credit to the judiciary in our country and our political system.”
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The verdict followed a protracted legal battle over the recognition of Mark and Aregbesola as national officers of the party.
In its ruling, the Supreme Court set aside the “status quo ante bellum” order issued during earlier proceedings, holding that such preservative directives cannot remain once a case has been concluded.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Mohammed Garba ruled that courts can only issue such orders where there is an existing subject matter to protect.
Once proceedings have been “fully, faithfully, conclusively and finally concluded,” he said, there is “nothing left” to preserve.
The apex court also held that the appeal challenging the lower court’s directive was incompetent, as it did not arise from a decision granting or refusing an injunction.
It stressed that obtaining leave of court in such circumstances is a “condition precedent,” adding that failure to do so robs the court of jurisdiction.
The case originated from a suit seeking to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising Mark and Aregbesola, as well as to stop them from acting in those capacities pending determination of the matter.
However, the trial court had only directed parties to maintain the status quo while ordering that the respondents be put on notice.
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Reacting to the broader implications of the judgment, the party said the events leading up to the ruling exposed “a troubling pattern of interference, bad faith, and attempts to weaken opposition voices in Nigeria.”
It added: “The ADC will not be intimidated, distracted, or silenced.”
The party also urged its members and supporters to remain vigilant.
“We therefore urge all our members, supporters, and democratic stakeholders across the country to remain vigilant.
“Democracy is not defended in a single courtroom victory, it is sustained through constant vigilance, active participation, and the courage to resist any attempt to undermine the will of the people.”
Beyond celebrating the ruling, the party renewed its call for the resignation of INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, arguing that the integrity of the office has been compromised.
It stated that the circumstances surrounding the dispute point to “either a grave failure of judgment or a deliberate act of bad faith.”
The party also urged INEC to immediately restore recognition of the Mark-led leadership across all its official platforms.
While the ruling strengthens the position of the Mark-led leadership, it also highlights the deep internal fractures within the party and the broader tensions shaping Nigeria’s opposition politics.
The ADC maintained that it would continue to defend democratic principles, stressing that the judgment, though decisive, reflects ongoing legal and political contestations within the country’s electoral system.