By James
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The leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has affirmed that its national structure remains intact following a recent ruling by the Court of Appeal of Nigeria in an ongoing internal dispute within the party.
According to the party, contrary to some interpretations circulating in the media, the appellate court did not deliver a final verdict on the leadership tussle but simply directed all parties involved to maintain the existing arrangement pending the determination of the substantive case before the Federal High Court of Nigeria.
The clarification was contained in a statement issued by the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, who addressed concerns raised by members and supporters following reports about an appeal linked to the party’s leadership contest.
Abdullahi explained that the case revolves around a suit challenging the emergence of David Mark as the party’s National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary. However, he stressed that the matter remains unresolved as the Federal High Court is yet to hear the substantive arguments or deliver a verdict.
“The Court of Appeal did not pronounce on the core leadership dispute,” Abdullahi said, adding that the appellate court neither granted any relief sought by the plaintiff nor issued an order altering the party’s current leadership framework.
Instead, the court directed all sides to preserve the status quo—meaning that the existing leadership arrangement should continue to function until the Federal High Court concludes the case.
Party officials say the clarification became necessary amid what they described as widespread misinterpretation of the appellate court’s decision.
Abdullahi urged members of the party not to be unsettled by the reports, describing the ruling as purely procedural and not a judgment on the legitimacy or tenure of the current national executives.
“The ruling does not invalidate the leadership of the party or alter its structure in any way,” he said, assuring members that the ADC leadership remains firmly in place.
He further maintained that the party remains focused on strengthening its internal cohesion and preparing for future political contests, despite what he described as attempts by “anti-democratic forces” to destabilise opposition platforms in the country.
The dispute within the ADC comes at a time when Nigeria’s political landscape is experiencing renewed realignments ahead of future elections, with smaller parties seeking to consolidate their structures and expand their influence nationally.
For now, the party leadership insists that the directive from the appellate court simply preserves the existing order, leaving the ultimate decision on the leadership question to be determined when the substantive case is heard at the Federal High Court.
