The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has hailed Thursday’s judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja affirming the party’s leadership under Senator David Mark, describing the ruling as a major victory for the rule of law and Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.
Reacting to the judgment, the party said the court’s decision had settled the leadership dispute and cleared the way for the ADC to concentrate on providing credible opposition and solutions to the country’s mounting challenges.
In a statement issued in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the ruling reaffirmed its long-held position that issues relating to party leadership are internal affairs guided by the party’s constitution.
According to the ADC, the emergence of its current leadership under Senator David Mark was conducted in full compliance with the party’s constitution and the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.
“The judgment reinforces our position that leadership issues within the party are internal matters and should not be subjected to unnecessary judicial interference under the circumstances of this case,” the statement said.
The party expressed optimism that the ruling would put an end to what it described as needless legal distractions and allow the opposition to focus on addressing the country’s pressing socio-economic challenges.
ADC also condemned what it termed attempts by certain individuals to weaken the opposition through litigation, insisting that the judgment strengthens constitutional democracy and political pluralism.
The party said that at a time Nigerians were grappling with insecurity, rising cost of living, unemployment and shrinking economic opportunities, its focus remained on presenting practical policy alternatives rather than engaging in prolonged legal battles.
ADC commended the presiding judge for what it described as a courageous judgment and welcomed the award of costs against the plaintiff and his legal representatives, expressing hope that the decision would discourage frivolous lawsuits against political parties.
Reaffirming its commitment to democratic values, the party thanked its members, supporters and Nigerians for their continued confidence and urged them to remain united as it strengthens its position as a major opposition platform.
The Federal High Court, presided over by Hon. Justice M. S. Liman, had earlier struck out the suit challenging the ADC leadership and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Senator David Mark and other members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) as the duly elected national officers of the party.
In his judgment in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, Hon. Leke Joseph Abejide vs. African Democratic Congress & 4 Others, Justice Liman held that the dispute bordered on the internal affairs of the ADC and therefore fell outside the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.
The court further ruled that the matter was not a pre-election case, that the plaintiff lacked the legal standing to institute the suit, and that he failed to exhaust the internal dispute resolution mechanism provided in the ADC Constitution before approaching the court.
Consequently, the court struck out the suit for lack of jurisdiction and directed INEC to accord official recognition to Senator David Mark and the party’s National Working Committee as the duly elected leadership of the ADC.
