ADC welcomes ruling affirming David Mark-led leadership

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has welcomed the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Senator David Mark and other members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) as its duly elected national officers.

Delivering judgment in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, Hon. Leke Joseph Abejide v. African Democratic Congress & 4 Others, Justice M. S. Liman held that the case bordered on the internal affairs of the ADC and that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain it.

The judge further ruled that the matter was not a pre-election case and therefore fell outside the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court under Section 251 of the 1999 Constitution.

Justice Liman also held that the plaintiff lacked the locus standi to institute the suit and failed to exhaust the mandatory internal dispute resolution mechanism provided under the ADC Constitution.

The court consequently struck out the suit for lack of jurisdiction.

In addition, Justice Liman held that Senator David Mark and other members of the ADC National Working Committee were duly elected and ordered INEC to accord them due recognition.

Reacting to the judgment in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described the ruling as a reaffirmation of its position that issues relating to the party’s leadership remain internal affairs and are therefore not justiciable under the Electoral Act, 2022.

The party maintained that the emergence of the current leadership, headed by Senator David Mark, was conducted in accordance with the law and the ADC Constitution.

The ADC described the judgment as a victory for Nigeria’s multiparty democracy and expressed hope that it would bring an end to what it called unnecessary distractions and attempts to destabilise the opposition through the courts.

The party also commended the presiding judge for what it described as his courage in upholding justice, particularly his decision to award costs against the plaintiff and his lawyers, expressing hope that the ruling would deter similar actions in future.

The ADC thanked its members, supporters and Nigerians for their continued support and urged them to remain united and focused.

“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.

“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,” the statement said.