(DDM) – The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has clarified that a recent judgment by the Court of Appeal of Nigeria does not alter the current leadership structure of the party.
The clarification followed reports suggesting that the appellate court ruling could affect the positions of key national officers within the party.
What the party said about the ruling
In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party explained that the appeal was dismissed on procedural grounds.
According to the party, the court did not make any determination on the substantive leadership dispute currently pending before the Federal High Court of Nigeria.
The ADC therefore insisted that the ruling does not affect the positions of David Mark as National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary.
Status of the leadership dispute
The party confirmed that the legal case challenging the emergence of the current leadership remains before the Federal High Court of Nigeria.
According to the statement, the case has not yet been heard or decided on its merits.
Party officials stressed that the appellate court ruling did not grant any relief in favour of the plaintiff in the dispute.
They also noted that no directive was issued that could alter the leadership structure currently in place.
Court order on maintaining status quo
The party said the Court of Appeal of Nigeria ordered all parties involved in the matter to maintain the status quo.
In legal terms, maintaining the status quo means that the existing situation remains unchanged until the court reaches a final decision.
ADC leaders therefore interpret the order as confirmation that the present leadership arrangement should remain in place pending the outcome of the substantive case.
Advice to party members
The party urged its members across the country not to panic or be influenced by what it described as misleading interpretations of the judgment.
The statement emphasized that the appellate ruling was strictly procedural and did not question the legitimacy or tenure of the current national leadership.
Party officials also reiterated that the organization remains united despite the ongoing legal challenge.
Wider political context
The African Democratic Congress is one of Nigeria’s opposition political parties and has been involved in internal leadership disagreements in recent months.
Political analysts say leadership disputes within parties often end up in court due to disagreements over internal processes and appointments.
Such cases sometimes take months or years to be fully resolved, especially when they move through different levels of the judicial system.
For now, ADC leaders maintain that the recent decision of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria leaves the party’s leadership unchanged until the Federal High Court of Nigeria delivers a final ruling on the matter.
