- Safiu Kehinde
The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Sen. David Mark, has hailed the Appeal Court’s nullification of the Abuja Federal High Court’s ruling ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to deregister the party alongside four other opposition parties.
NPO earlier Reported that the appellate court had on Tuesday set aside the Federal High Court’s ruling.
In a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of Justices, the court held that the order which the Federal High Court issued to the electoral body on June 15 amounted to a nullity.
The court maintained that the high court wrongly assumed jurisdiction and made the order on an incompetent suit that was filed by a non-juristic entity.
Reacting to the development, Mark, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, welcomed the appeal court’s judgement, describing it as a victory for democracy, constitutional order and the rule of law in Nigeria.
As quoted by Ologbondiyan, the ADC National Chairman said that the decision reaffirmed public confidence in the judiciary and demonstrated that the courts remain a dependable protector of democratic values and constitutional rights.
“This judgment is a reassuring reminder that the judiciary can rise above all forms of pressure to safeguard democracy, political pluralism and the constitutional rights of citizens and political parties,” Mark stated.
He noted that the attempt to deregister the ADC represented a serious threat to Nigeria’s multiparty democratic system and an unfortunate effort to undermine the constitutional rights of Nigerians to freely associate and participate in the political process.
Mark commended the Justices of the Court of Appeal for their courage, impartiality and commitment to justice, adding that the judgment has further strengthened confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
The former Senate President called on all ADC candidates, members and supporters across the country to remain united, steadfast and focused on the party’s mission of providing purposeful leadership and good governance for the Nigerian people.
He stressed that the legal victory should serve as a renewed source of motivation for party faithful to intensify grassroots mobilisation and continue working diligently towards the success of the ADC in the 2027 general elections.
“Our focus now returns fully to building a stronger, more united and people-centred political platform that will offer Nigerians a credible alternative in 2027.
We must remain disciplined, resolute and committed to the task ahead,” he said.
Mark reaffirmed the ADC’s unwavering commitment to democracy, the rule of law and peaceful political engagement.
He assured Nigerians that the party would continue to champion policies that promote national unity, security, economic prosperity and justice for all citizens.