ADC Supporters Storm Court In Protest Over Leadership Crisis

According to Ireporter Online, supporters of the David Mark-led National Working Committee of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Monday staged a protest at the entrance of the Federal High Court in Abuja, calling on the judiciary to remain impartial and resist any attempt to weaken opposition political parties in Nigeria.

The demonstrators, who gathered in large numbers, insisted that the ongoing legal tussle over the party’s leadership was being used to distract the ADC from its political responsibilities. They also urged the court to ensure fairness in handling the matter, stressing that opposition parties must be allowed to operate without undue interference ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The protest comes amid a continuing internal crisis within the ADC involving rival factions led by Nafiu Bala-Gombe and former Senate President, David Mark. The dispute had earlier reached the Supreme Court, which set aside an order from the Court of Appeal in Abuja that directed all parties to maintain the status quo in the leadership struggle.

The appellate court order had initially been used by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw recognition from the Mark-led faction. However, following the Supreme Court’s decision, the matter was referred back to the Federal High Court for accelerated hearing.

In its ruling, the apex court directed that all parties return to the lower court to determine the substantive issues surrounding the emergence of the current ADC leadership.

Following the judgment, INEC restored recognition of David Mark as National Chairman of the party and reinstated key members of the National Working Committee, including Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, Mani Ahmad as National Treasurer, Akibu Dalhatu as National Financial Secretary, and Oserheimen Osunbor as National Legal Adviser.

Despite the developments, protesters maintained that the legal dispute should not be allowed to destabilize the party, urging the judiciary to ensure that justice is served without political bias.