ADC

Author: Gist Correspondent

Supporters of the Senator David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Monday staged a protest at the entrance of the Federal High Court in Abuja, urging the judiciary to resist any attempt to undermine opposition politics in Nigeria.

The demonstrators, who gathered ahead of proceedings in the party's leadership dispute, expressed concern that the ongoing legal battle could be used to weaken the ADC and distract it from its political activities.

The protest is linked to the leadership tussle between the ADC faction led by Nafiu Bala-Gombe and the National Working Committee headed by former Senate President David Mark.

Addressing journalists, some of the protesters alleged that the suit returned to the Federal High Court by the Supreme Court was being used as a tool to create instability within the opposition party.

The dispute stems from an April ruling by the Supreme Court, which nullified an earlier Court of Appeal order directing parties in the leadership crisis to maintain the status quo ante bellum. The appellate court's decision had previously informed the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) withdrawal of recognition for the Mark-led leadership.

In a unanimous judgment delivered by a five-member panel, the apex court directed the Federal High Court to hear and determine the substantive suit filed by ADC chieftain Nafiu Bala-Gombe, who is challenging the emergence of the David Mark-led leadership and other related issues.

Following the ruling, INEC restored David Mark as National Chairman of the ADC and reinstated members of the party's National Working Committee.

The electoral commission subsequently updated its official records, listing former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as National Secretary, alongside other key officials including Mani Ahmad as National Treasurer, Akibu Dalhatu as National Financial Secretary, and Oserheimen Osunbor as National Legal Adviser.