ADC Supporters Protest At Court Over Leadership Tussle

Supporters of the David Mark-led National Working Committee of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Monday occupied the entrance of the Federal High Court in Abuja, urging the judiciary not to allow itself to be used to weaken opposition parties.

Naija News reports that the protest came amid the ongoing legal battle between the ADC leadership led by Nafiu Bala-Gombe and the faction headed by former Senate President, David Mark.

The protesters alleged that the suit, which the Supreme Court referred back to the Federal High Court, was aimed at distracting the opposition party.

In April, the Supreme Court set aside an order of the Court of Appeal in Abuja directing parties in the ADC leadership dispute to maintain the status quo ante bellum.

The appellate court order had earlier been relied upon by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to derecognise the Mark-led leadership of the party.

In a unanimous judgment delivered by a five-member panel, the apex court directed the parties to return to the Federal High Court for an expeditious hearing of the suit filed by party chieftain, Nafiu Bala-Gombe.

The suit is challenging, among other issues, the emergence of the Mark-led leadership of the ADC.

Following the Supreme Court’s verdict, INEC restored Mark as National Chairman of the ADC and reinstated other principal members of the party’s National Working Committee.

The commission also updated its website to reflect the leadership structure. Former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, was listed as National Secretary.

Also reinstated were Mani Ahmad as National Treasurer, Akibu Dalhatu as National Financial Secretary, and Oserheimen Osunbor as National Legal Adviser.

The protesters called on the court to handle the matter fairly and avoid being used to stifle opposition politics in the country.

They insisted that the ADC should be allowed to focus on its political activities without unnecessary distractions ahead of the 2027 elections.