The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has hailed the latest court judgment affirming the Mark/Aregbesola leadership of the party, describing it as victory for democracy.
The Federal High Court in Abuja had struck out a suit filed by a member of the House of Representatives, Leke Abejide challenging the positions of Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as the National Chairman and Secretary respectively of the ADC.
In a statement on Thursday, by the spokesman of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the ruling has reaffirmed the party’s constitutional processes.
Abdullahi stated that the court dismissed the case for lack of jurisdiction and also rejected Abejide’s claims for lack of merit.
According to the ADC, the judgment reinforces its longstanding position that issues relating to the leadership of a political party are internal affairs and are therefore not justiciable under the Electoral Act, 2022.
The party maintained that the emergence of its current leadership, headed by Mark, complied with both the law and the provisions of the ADC Constitution.
Describing the ruling as a boost for Nigeria’s multiparty democracy, the ADC expressed hope that the judgment would put an end to what it called repeated attempts to destabilise the opposition through the courts.
The party alleged that some individuals were using judicial processes in a bid to weaken the opposition and advance a one-party state, insisting that such efforts would not succeed.
The ADC said that rather than being distracted by what it described as contrived legal battles, it remained focused on providing practical alternatives to address Nigeria’s pressing challenges, including worsening insecurity, the rising cost of living, unemployment and shrinking economic opportunities.
While celebrating the court victory, the ADC said it would remain vigilant, claiming that anti-democratic forces were still determined to undermine the country’s democratic space.
The party also commended the trial judge for what it described as courage in delivering justice, particularly praising the decision to award costs against the plaintiff and his lawyers.
According to the ADC, the sanctions imposed by the court would serve as a deterrent against what it termed frivolous litigation aimed at disrupting political parties.
The party thanked its members, supporters and Nigerians who had stood by it throughout the legal battle and urged them to remain united and committed to its political agenda.
