Supporters of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by Senator David Mark on Monday staged a protest at the Federal High Court in Abuja, calling on the judiciary to resist any attempt to undermine opposition parties through the courts.
The demonstration took place amid an ongoing leadership dispute within the party involving two rival factions — one led by David Mark and the other by Nafiu Bala-Gombe.
The protesters argued that the legal proceedings, which were returned to the Federal High Court by the Supreme Court, are being used to divert the party’s attention and weaken its activities.
The leadership tussle stems from a lawsuit filed by ADC chieftain Nafiu Bala-Gombe, who challenged the emergence of the Mark-led leadership. In April, the Supreme Court set aside a Court of Appeal order that had directed all parties to maintain the status quo in the dispute. The earlier appellate court ruling had prompted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw recognition of the David Mark-led leadership.
In a unanimous decision delivered by a five-member panel, the Supreme Court directed the parties to return to the Federal High Court for an accelerated hearing of the substantive case.
Following the judgment, INEC restored David Mark as National Chairman of the ADC and reinstated other members of the party’s National Working Committee. The electoral commission also updated its official records to reflect the changes.
The updated leadership list includes former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, alongside Mani Ahmad as National Treasurer, Akibu Dalhatu as National Financial Secretary, and Oserheimen Osunbor as National Legal Adviser.
The Federal High Court is expected to continue hearing the matter as both factions seek a legal resolution to the party’s leadership dispute.
