…Urges members not to be misled by misinterpretations and distortion
African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Saturday, March 14, 2026, declared that the ruling of the Court of Appeal was purely procedural and did not in any material particular affect the legitimacy or tenure of the current Senator David Mark-led and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola national leadership of the party
The ADC specifically said that the recent ruling of the appellate Court in the ongoing leadership dispute within the party did not in any way alter its current leadership structure.
It therefore reassured its members that it remains united and focused,
The party which made the clarification, dismissed what it described as “misinterpretation and deliberate controversy” as part of attempts by anti-democratic forces bent on imposing a one-party rule on Nigeria” in order to create confusion within the opposition.
These were contained in a statement by Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, who pointedly said that the Court of Appeal’s decision was procedural and did not determine the substantive issues raised in the case challenging the leadership of Senator David Mark as National Chairman and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary.
The ADC explained that the appeal was dismissed on procedural grounds, and the court did not grant any relief to the plaintiff nor did it issue any order affecting the party’s leadership positions.
In the words of Abdullahi; “The Court of Appeal did not determine the substantive dispute regarding the leadership of the ADC.
“The case challenging the emergence of Senator David Mark as National Chairman and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary remains pending before the Federal High Court of Nigeria and has not yet been heard or decided on its merits,” he stated.
The ADC further said that the Court of Appeal directed all parties to maintain the status quo, meaning that the current leadership arrangement remains unchanged pending the determination of the substantive suit.
The party therefore urged its members and the public not to be misled by what it described as “inaccurate interpretations” of the judgment circulating in some quarters.
It also said; “The ruling of the Court of Appeal is purely procedural and does not affect the legitimacy or tenure of the current national leadership of the party”.
The ADC therefore urged its supporters nationwide to remain calm and committed to the party’s programmes while the matter continues before the court.
