- Safiu Kehinde
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has restored the names of David Mark and Abdulrahman Mohammed on its portal as the leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) respectively.
This is coming under the heels of the Supreme Court’s ruling over the leadership crisis of both parties.
NPO Reported that the apex court had on Thursday nullified the status quo antebellum previously granted by the Court of Appeal over the ADC’s case.
The five-member panel faulted the appellate court’s ruling as it ordered the Mark-led ADC faction to return to the trial court for the hearing of the suit filed by the Nafiu Bala-led faction who challenged Mark’s leadership of the party.
The development had sparked celebration amongst the ADC members who claimed the apex court’s ruling affirmed Mark’s leadership of the party.
This indeed appeared to have restored a blight of hope for the party faithfuls as INEC restored the names of the ADC National Working Committee (NWC) leaders led by Mark.
NPO Report observed that the commission returned Mark’s name on the portal as the party’s National Chairman with former Osun state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola recognised as the party’s National Secretary.
On the other hand, INEC’s recognition of the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led faction of the PDP on its portal is coming despite the Supreme Court’s affirmation of the suspension of several leaders of the faction backed by the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike.