Supporters of David Mark on Monday staged a protest at the Federal High Court in Abuja, urging the judiciary not to be used to undermine opposition parties in Nigeria.
The demonstrators, who backed the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Mark, gathered at the court entrance amid the ongoing leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Th protest is linked to a legal battle between the faction led by Mark and another headed by Nafiu Bala Gombe. Protesters claimed the court proceedings were being used to distract the opposition party from its political activities.
The dispute stems from a suit filed by Gombe challenging the emergence of the Mark-led leadership. In April, the Supreme Court of Nigeria set aside a Court of Appeal order that had directed all parties to maintain the status quo in the leadership tussle.
That earlier appellate court decision had prompted the Independent National Electoral Commission to withdraw recognition of the Mark-led leadership.
However, in a unanimous judgment delivered by a five-member panel, the Supreme Court ordered that the matter return to the Federal High Court for an accelerated hearing. Following the ruling, INEC restored Mark as National Chairman and reinstated other members of the party’s National Working Committee.
INEC subsequently updated its records to reflect the ADC leadership structure, listing Mark as National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary.
Other officials reinstated by the commission include Mani Ahmad as National Treasurer, Akibu Dalhatu as National Financial Secretary, and Oserheimen Osunbor as National Legal Adviser.
The protest highlights continuing tensions within the ADC as the Federal High Court prepares to hear the substantive issues surrounding the party’s leadership.
