The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed reports claiming that a Federal High Court in Abuja restrained former Senate President David Mark and ex-Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, from parading themselves as leaders of the party.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, on Thursday described the publications as fake news aimed at misleading the public.
The clarification followed a motion ex parte filed on September 2 by Nafiu Bala Gombe, seeking to stop the Mark-led National Working Committee from acting as the party’s leadership.
The suit listed the ADC, David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Chief Ralph Nwosu as defendants.
Abdullahi explained that the court, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, rejected the ex parte application on September 4, directing instead that the defendants be put on notice.
The case was subsequently adjourned to September 15 for hearing.
A certified ruling signed by Justice Nwite and confirmed by the court registrar, Kasope Kafayat Bola, showed that the plaintiff’s motion was refused, defendants were to be notified, and the matter adjourned for further proceedings.
“Contrary to misleading reports, the court did not restrain Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola from functioning as National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC.
“The order was simply for the defendants to be notified and to appear to show cause,” Abdullahi clarified.
Recall that former national chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, dissolved the NWC in July and endorsed an interim leadership led by David Mark. At its 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, the ADC formally handed over leadership to Mark and Aregbesola, with a 50-member Policy Committee inaugurated to review the party’s manifesto.
INEC has since updated the party’s official records, recognising Mark as National Chairman, Aregbesola as National Secretary, Mani Ibrahim as National Treasurer, Akibu Dalhatu as National Financial Secretary, and Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor as National Legal Adviser.
The ADC accused “political jobbers” of twisting the ruling to create confusion after INEC’s recognition of the new leadership.
“Having failed to stop INEC from acknowledging the leadership change in ADC, these agents of destabilisation are now resorting to misrepresenting court rulings to sow confusion,” the statement read.
The party cautioned against misinformation and urged journalists and the public to verify court rulings before dissemination.
