The South-South Zonal leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on its members to move beyond its leadership court case and focus on strengthening the party after the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a suit challenging the legitimacy of its national leadership led by former Senate President David Mark.
The Federal High Court in Abuja gave its judgment on Thursday. Justice Musa Liman dismissed the case after ruling that the matter was an internal party issue that fell outside the court’s jurisdiction.
The judge also held that the plaintiff did not use the dispute resolution process provided in the party’s constitution before filing the case. The court also found that the plaintiff lacked the legal standing to bring the action.
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The judgment upheld the appointment of Senator David Mark as National Chairman and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary. Their appointments followed decisions taken by the party’s National Executive Committee in line with the ADC Constitution and the Electoral Act.
The ruling ended a legal challenge that questioned the legitimacy of the party’s national leadership. It also left the current leadership in place to continue managing the affairs of the party.
South-South ADC urges unity after judgment
Following the judgment, the ADC South-South Zonal leadership said members should now concentrate on building the party instead of dwelling on the legal dispute.
The position was made known by the South-South Zonal Publicity Secretary, Mabel Oboh. She congratulated David Mark, the National Working Committee and party members after the court dismissed the suit.
Oboh said the judgment should encourage members to unite behind the national leadership. She urged party members in every part of the country to strengthen grassroots structures, expand membership and prepare for future elections.
“Our collective responsibility now is to unite behind the leadership, consolidate our structures, and continue to offer Nigerians a credible political alternative founded on competence, justice, transparency, and national unity,” she said.
She also expressed confidence in the David Mark-led leadership, saying the South-South zone fully supports the national executive.
Oboh said the leadership has the experience and commitment needed to strengthen internal democracy, accountability and respect for the rule of law within the party.
She congratulated members nationwide and expressed hope that the judgment would open a new chapter for the party.
Earlier, the South-South leadership described the court’s decision as a victory for constitutional democracy, judicial independence and the rule of law.
It said the judgment went beyond resolving an internal disagreement and reinforced the principle that political parties should manage their affairs within the limits of their constitutions.
Oboh said the court made it clear that the issues brought before it related to the party’s internal affairs. She also noted that the plaintiff failed to exhaust the party’s internal dispute process before approaching the court.
She commended Justice Liman for what she described as impartiality and commitment to the Constitution. She said the judgment would strengthen public confidence in the judiciary.
Oboh also warned against using court cases as political tools to weaken opposition parties. She said political competition should take place through lawful democratic processes instead of litigation aimed at disrupting party activities.
She maintained that justice plays an important role in protecting democratic governance, electoral credibility and national stability.
The South-South leadership ended its reaction by urging members to work together under the current national leadership and focus on strengthening the ADC ahead of future electoral contests. It said unity and commitment to the party’s goals would help it continue its efforts to present itself as an alternative political platform for Nigerians.
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