ADC: Appeal Court Did Not Sack David Mark, Aregbesola

ADC: Appeal Court Did Not Sack David Mark, Aregbesola

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed claims that its National Chairman, David Mark, and National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, were removed from office following a recent judgment by the Court of Appeal of Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the party described the reports as misleading and inaccurate, insisting that the appellate court did not make any ruling that affects the current leadership of the party.

The ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, clarified that the court only addressed procedural issues in the case and did not determine the substantive dispute over the party’s leadership.

According to him, the lawsuit challenging the emergence of David Mark as National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary is still pending before the Federal High Court of Nigeria and has not yet been heard on its merits.

Abdullahi explained that the Court of Appeal judgment did not grant any relief to the plaintiff and did not issue any directive affecting the leadership structure of the party.

“Having carefully studied the judgment, we wish to state unequivocally that the Court of Appeal did not determine the substantive dispute regarding the leadership of the ADC,” Abdullahi said.

READ ALSO:

• Nigerians Among 141 Injured As UAE Intercepts Iranian Missiles
• Old Dominion University Shooting: Terrorism Suspect Had Links to Nigeria-Based ISIS
• Heartbreaking Video: Mother of Nigerian Soldier Curses Govt Over Poor Troop Welfare

He added that the court instead directed all parties involved in the matter to maintain the status quo, meaning that the current leadership structure of the African Democratic Congress remains unchanged until the case is fully determined by the Federal High Court.

The party therefore urged members and supporters not to panic or be misled by misinterpretations of the judgment, stressing that the ruling does not affect the legitimacy or tenure of the current national leadership.

Abdullahi also noted that internal legal disputes are not unusual in political organisations, adding that such matters should not be interpreted as a collapse of the party’s leadership.

He said the ADC remains united and focused on strengthening its political structures ahead of future elections, despite what he described as attempts by “anti-democratic forces” to destabilise opposition parties.

David Mark, a former President of the Senate of Nigeria, and Rauf Aregbesola, a former governor of Osun State and former Minister of Interior, currently lead the national structure of the African Democratic Congress as part of the party’s efforts to reposition itself in Nigeria’s political landscape.

The party reiterated that the directive to maintain the status quo means the existing leadership remains fully in place until the Federal High Court delivers a final judgment on the matter.

ADC: Appeal Court Did Not Sack David Mark, Aregbesola