The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has updated its party leaders portal to reflect David Mark and Rauph Aregbesola as the national chairman and secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The latest development follows the Supreme Court’s judgment on Friday, which vacated the Appeal Court’s earlier ruling ordering INEC to maintain the status quo ante bellum.
The Supreme Court also ordered Mark and Nafiu Bala to return to the Federal High Court for the determination of the substantive suit over the leadership of the party.
Earlier in April, the electoral umpire had relied on the ruling of the status quo ante bellum ruling of the appellate court to derecognise the Mark-led leadership of the ADC.
In a unanimous judgement, a five-member panel of the apex court, led by Mohammed Garba, faulted the order of the court of appeal, which asked parties in the suit to maintain status quo ante bellum.
ADC’S REACTION
In a statement on Friday, Bolaji Abdullahi, national publicity secretary of the party, praised the five-man panel of the Supreme Court for their unanimous judgment, saying that “it has done a great credit to the judiciary and the country.”
“Today’s decision is a clear affirmation that our party, its structures, and its leadership under our National Chairman, Senator Mark, and our National Secretary, Ogbeni Aregbesola, are legitimate,” he said.
Abdullahi said that while the party welcomes the decision, it should not be mistaken as an end to the struggle.
“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,” he said.
“We therefore urge all our members, supporters, and democratic stakeholders across the country to remain vigilant.”
