The Supreme Court has set aside the order for status quo ante bellum made by the Court of Appeal in Abuja in the leadership dispute of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The judgement effectively restores the David Mark-led executive from its delisting by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a unanimous verdict on Thursday, the five-member panel of justices led by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, held that the order by the Court of Appeal was unnecessary.
The apex court further held that the appeal on ‘jurisdiction’ was filed on an order ex parte inviting parties to show cause without first obtaining leave of the appellate court.
Meanwhile, ADC has welcomed the Supreme Court ruling, which restored the leadership of Senator David Mark as National Chairman, and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary of the party, respectively.
The party, in a statement on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, also commended the judiciary for its action, which he described as a great credit to Nigeria’s political system.
Despite expressing satisfaction with the ruling of the apex court, Abdullahi said the ADC recognises that Thursday’s court ruling is not the end of the struggle.
He expressed concerns about what he described as a troubling pattern of interference, bad faith, and attempts to weaken opposition voices in Nigeria.
The party, however, vowed that it would not be intimidated and called on all its members and supporters to remain vigilant and support the ADC as a credible alternative.