– Laid to rest lingering court cases on party’s leadership
SUMMARY OF THE COURT’S DECISION
Hon. Justice M. S. Liman of the Federal High Court has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to give Senator David Mark and other NWC members of the ADC recognition as duly elected National Officers of the ADC.
Hon. Justice Liman, in delivering his judgment in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025; Between: HON. LEKE JOSEPH ABEJIDE VS. AFRICAN DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS & 4 ORS.; held that:
i. The case borders on the internal affairs of the ADC, and the court therefore lacks jurisdiction to entertain same;
ii. The case is not a pre-election matter and falls outside the scope of the Federal High Court’s jurisdiction under Section 251 of the 1999 Constitution;
iii. The Plaintiff lacks locus standi to institute the case;
iv. The Plaintiff failed to exhaust the mandatory internal remedy provided under the ADC Constitution.
The Court then struck out the case for lack of jurisdiction. In delivering his judgment on the merits, Hon. Justice Liman held that Senator David Mark and other members of the ADC National Working Committee were duly elected and ordered INEC to give due recognition to them.
OUR POSITION
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) welcomes this judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, striking out the suit for want of jurisdiction, while also dismissing the Plaintiff’s claims on their merits.
This judgment, once again, affirms our clear position that the issue of leadership remains an internal affair of the party and is therefore not justiciable, especially in the light of the Electoral Act, 2022; and that the emergence of the current leadership of our great party, led by Senator David Mark, was carried out in accordance with the law and the Constitution of the ADC.
While we view this ruling as yet another victory for multiparty democracy in Nigeria, it is our hope that this judgment will help bring to an end all the unnecessary distractions and attempts at judicial manipulation by those who are hell-bent on destabilising the opposition and foisting a one-party rule on the country.
At a time when millions of Nigerians are confronted daily with worsening insecurity, an unbearable cost of living, rising unemployment and declining economic opportunities, our responsibility as a serious opposition party is to present practical solutions as alternatives to the people, not to be bogged down by contrived legal challenges.
Even as we celebrate this victory in court, we remain vigilant, convinced that anti-democratic forces remain active and motivated to continue to pursue their inglorious agenda against the Nigerian people.
We commend the courage shown by the presiding judge in standing firmly on the side of justice. We commend, especially, the Judge’s decision to award fines against the Plaintiff and his lawyers, hoping that this measure will serve as a deterrent to those who may want to pursue such frivolous actions in the future.
We thank our members, supporters and millions of Nigerians who have continued to stand with the party. We urge them to remain focused, united and confident as we continue this journey together.
Signed:
Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi
National Publicity Secretary
African Democratic Congress (ADC)
