Supreme Court Reinstates Mark Leadership as ADC Urges Defence of Democracy, Renews Call for INEC Chair’s Resignation
By Kevin Stella Kita
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has welcomed the Supreme Court ruling affirming Senator David Mark as National Chairman and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, describing the decision as a clear validation of the party leadership’s position and a definitive confirmation that the INEC’s decision to de-recognise the David Mark leadership was fundamentally faulty.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the judgement reinforces the primacy of the rule of law in Nigeria’s democratic space and justifies the party’s faith in the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The party commends the five-man panel of the Apex Court, whose unanimous judgment, it says, has done great credit to the institution of judiciary in our country.
It also urges its members and democratic stakeholders to remain vigilant, while renewing its call for the resignation of INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan.
The full statement read:
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) congratulates all our members and leaders across the country on today’s Supreme Court ruling which affirmed the leadership of our party under Senator David Mark as National Chairman, and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary.
Today’s decision is a clear and unequivocal affirmation that our party, its structures, and its leadership under our National Chairman, Senator Mark, and our National Secretary, Ogbeni Aregbesola, are legitimate. It lays to rest all contrived disputes and manufactured uncertainties, and reinforces the principle that the rule of law, not political manipulation, must guide the affairs of our democracy.
We commend the five-man panel of the Supreme Court, whose unanimous judgment, has today done great credit to the judiciary in our country and our political system.
However, while we welcome this judgement, we do not mistake it for the end of the struggle. The events leading up to this moment have exposed a troubling pattern of interference, bad faith, and attempts to weaken opposition voices in Nigeria. Let it be clearly stated: the ADC will not be intimidated, distracted, or silenced. We remain resolute in our mission to provide Nigerians with a credible alternative, anchored on ending insecurity, reducing the cost of living, and creating jobs at scale.
We therefore urge all our members, supporters, and democratic stakeholders across the country to remain vigilant. Democracy is not defended in a single courtroom victory, it is sustained through constant vigilance, active participation, and the courage to resist any attempt to undermine the will of the people. What has been attempted once can be attempted again, hence, we must not let our guard down.
In light of this ruling, the ADC reaffirms its long-standing position that Prof. Joash Amupitan, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), must resign. The circumstances surrounding this matter, now clarified by the Supreme Court, point to either a grave failure of judgment or a deliberate act of bad faith. Whichever it is, the outcome is the same: the integrity and neutrality required of the office have been compromised. Nigeria’s democracy cannot afford an electoral umpire whose actions raise legitimate questions about impartiality.
“INEC must now restore the recognition of the David Mark-led leadership on its website, and in all formal channels of communication.”
Meanwhile the statement said ADC nn its part, will continue to stand firm, speak clearly, and act decisively in defense of democracy, justice, and the Nigerian people.
