The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has applauded the judgment of the Federal High Court over the leadership dispute within the party, describing the ruling as a decisive affirmation of Senator David Mark’s position as national leader.
The party said the decision effectively ended the legal challenge initiated by Hon. Leke Joseph Abejide, adding that it would now concentrate on offering solutions to Nigeria’s pressing economic and security concerns.
Reacting in a statement issued on Thursday, the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said the court dismissed Abejide’s suit and upheld the legitimacy of the party’s current leadership.
According to Abdullahi, Justice M. S. Liman ruled that the matter was outside the jurisdiction of the court because it concerned the internal affairs of a political party.
He added that the judgment validated the emergence of Senator David Mark and other members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise them as the party’s duly elected national officers and, according to the party, imposed financial penalties on the plaintiff and his legal representatives.
“This judgment, once again, affirms our clear position that the issue of leadership remains an internal affair of the party and is therefore not justiciable, especially in the light of the Electoral Act, 2022; and that the emergence of the current leadership of our great party, led by Senator David Mark, was carried out in accordance with the law and the Constitution of the ADC,” the statement said.
The party described the court’s decision as a significant boost for Nigeria’s multiparty democratic system and expressed hope that it would permanently resolve the leadership controversy.
According to the ADC, the judgment should bring an end to what it called unnecessary litigation and attempts to undermine opposition parties through judicial processes.
The party also alleged that certain interests were working to weaken opposition politics and impose a one-party system on the country.
It said it hoped the ruling would “help bring to an end all the unnecessary distractions and attempts at judicial manipulation by those who are hell-bent on destabilising the opposition and foisting a one-party rule on the country.”
Abdullahi maintained that with the legal dispute settled, the ADC would now focus its attention on addressing issues affecting ordinary Nigerians rather than defending itself in court.
He said the country’s worsening insecurity, high cost of living, unemployment and shrinking economic opportunities required serious political alternatives.
“At a time when millions of Nigerians are confronted daily with worsening insecurity, an unbearable cost of living, rising unemployment and declining economic opportunities, our responsibility as a serious opposition party is to present practical solutions as alternatives to the people, not to be bogged down by contrived legal challenges.
“Even as we celebrate this victory in court, we remain vigilant, convinced that anti-democratic forces remain active and motivated to continue to pursue their inglorious agenda against the Nigerian people.
“We commend, especially, the Judge’s decision to award fines against the Plaintiff and his lawyers, hoping that this measure will serve as a deterrent to those who may want to pursue such frivolous actions in the future.”
The party concluded by expressing appreciation to its members, supporters and Nigerians who stood by it throughout the court proceedings.
It urged party faithful to remain united and committed as it continues preparations toward achieving its political objectives.
