The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has clarified that the recent ruling by the Court of Appeal of Nigeria did not resolve the ongoing legal dispute over the party’s national leadership.
In a statement issued by the party’s National Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said it had taken note of reports circulating in the media regarding the appellate court’s decision in an appeal filed by the party’s National Chairman, David Mark.
According to the party, the appeal relates to a suit currently before the Federal High Court of Nigeria challenging the emergence of Mark as National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary.
“The attention of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has been drawn to reports concerning the recent decision of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria in an appeal filed by the National Chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark, in connection with the ongoing suit instituted against the party leadership at the Federal High Court of Nigeria,” the statement said.
The party explained that after reviewing the ruling, it became clear that the appellate court did not address the core issues surrounding the leadership dispute.
“Having carefully studied the judgment, we wish to state unequivocally that the Court of Appeal did not determine the substantive dispute regarding the leadership of the ADC. The case challenging the emergence of Senator David Mark as National Chairman and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary is still pending before the Federal High Court and has not yet been heard or decided on its merits,” the statement added.
The ADC further stressed that the appellate court did not issue any directive altering the party’s leadership arrangement.
“Importantly, the Court of Appeal did not grant any relief in favour of the plaintiff, nor did it issue any order affecting the leadership structure of the party. On the contrary, the court ordered that parties should maintain the status quo, meaning that the current state of affairs within the party should remain unchanged pending the determination of the substantive suit,” Abdullahi said.
The party also urged its members across the country to remain calm and avoid being misled by what it described as incorrect interpretations of the ruling.
“Members of the ADC are therefore advised not to panic or be misled by misinterpretations of the judgment. The ruling of the Court of Appeal is purely procedural and does not affect the legitimacy or tenure of the current national leadership of the party,” the statement said.
Reaffirming its unity, the ADC maintained that it remains focused despite what it described as attempts by political forces to undermine democratic competition.
“The ADC remains united and focused despite the antics of anti-democratic forces bent on imposing a one-party rule on Nigeria.”