Mixed reactions, different interpretations trail judgments
The Supreme Court’s verdicts on the leadership crises rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may have settled some legal questions, but may have also
The Supreme Court’s verdicts on the leadership crises rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may have settled some legal questions, but may have also opened a new phase of political warfare among opposition figures.
Within hours of the apex court’s decisions yesterday, rival camps in the PDP rushed to claim victory or issue warnings.
Former Rivers State Governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, declared that the PDP crisis had ended and that the party had become united again.
But another PDP group insisted the judgment had instead left the opposition party without a defined leadership structure.
Adding another layer to the drama, a former factional Board of Trustees (BoT) chairman of the PDP, Senator Adolphus Wabara, announced that it was assuming temporary leadership of the party.
While the ADC hailed the judgment as judicial validation of Senator David Mark’s leadership, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar urged supporters not to relax.
Former ADC presidential candidate Dumebi Kachikwu insisted the Supreme Court did not affirm the Mark-led leadership at all.
Wike: no more faction in PDP
Addressing reporters in Abuja Wike declared that the apex court had finally ended all factional disputes within the PDP.
He said: “Today (yesterday), the Supreme Court has brought to an end the so-called factions of the PDP. There is no more faction in the party. There is only one PDP.”
He argued that the court’s decision validated the party’s convention in Abuja and current leadership structure while dismissing efforts by aggrieved members to overturn earlier decisions.
“The Supreme Court has validated our convention and set aside all claims to any parallel structure,” he stated.
Wike also attacked opposition coalition talks involving Atiku Abubakar and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, dismissing the movement as politically ineffective.
“I see that my brothers and friends, including Seyi Makinde, are currently holding a coalition meeting. We are not part of that; we are the main opposition party,” he said.
The minister further described some PDP defectors as liabilities rather than assets.
“People like Atiku Abubakar, we do not want them back. They are not natural assets; they are natural liabilities,” he said.
He maintained that the PDP remained Nigeria’s main opposition platform and pledged “constructive opposition” rather than “opposition for opposition’s sake.”
Turaki group interprets verdict differently
Another PDP group led by Tanimu Turaki interpreted the Supreme Court judgment differently.
In a statement by its spokesman, Ini Ememobong, the group warned that the judgment had pushed the PDP toward “a dangerous bend.”
According to the group, the apex court’s decision effectively left the party without a clearly defined leadership structure.
“With this split judgment, which also upheld the Court of Appeal’s suspension of Ajibade, Anyanwu and others, this effectively leaves the PDP as a party without a defined leadership,” the statement said.
The group argued that the minority justices correctly held that the disputes were internal party affairs and therefore non-justiciable.
It also faulted the majority judgment for allegedly raising issues suo motu without hearing from the parties.
But there is no trace of Ememobong’s claims in the judgment which was delivered in the open court.
ADC celebrates judgment
The ADC welcomed the Supreme Court judgement vacating the Court of Appeal’s order directing parties in the leadership dispute to maintain status quo ante bellum, arguing that the decision effectively reaffirmed the legitimacy of the David Mark-led National Working Committee.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the judgment exposed what it described as the flawed decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to derecognise the leadership headed by Mark and National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola.
According to the ADC, the apex court ruling reinforced confidence in the judiciary and the rule of law.
“The judgment has put to rest the contrived disputes and manufactured uncertainties around the leadership of our party,” the statement said.
The party described the unanimous decision of the five-member panel as a strong affirmation of judicial integrity and democratic order.
Despite the victory, the ADC renewed its demand for the resignation of INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, insisting that the electoral body’s actions during the dispute raised questions about neutrality and fairness.
The ADC also called on INEC to immediately restore recognition of the Mark-led leadership across all official platforms and communications.
Atiku warns supporters against complacency
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also welcomed the judgment but warned ADC members and opposition supporters not to interpret the judgment as the end of the political struggle ahead.
In a message posted on his X account, Atiku described the decision as a significant development but insisted that more work remained to be done.
He wrote: “Even as we welcome the Supreme Court’s firm affirmation of David Mark and the leadership of our great party, the African Democratic Congress, let no one be lulled into complacency.
“The road ahead remains long in our cause to take back and rescue our country.”
Kachikwu disagrees
But former ADC presidential candidate Dumebi Kachikwu faulted attempts to portray the judgment as an endorsement of the Mark-led faction.
Kachikwu argued that the apex court merely vacated the preservative order made by the Court of Appeal and directed parties back to the Federal High Court for determination of the substantive dispute.
According to him, the judgment did not compel INEC to recognise any faction.
“The Supreme Court displayed King Solomon’s wisdom in refusing to be used as a tool of destabilisation,” he said.
In an analogy, he said: “These men have stolen a car without an engine and can therefore go nowhere.”
He warned against what he described as attempts to misrepresent the Supreme Court decision.
“Buyer beware, the ADC is not for sale,” he added.
Tambuwal welcomes verdict
Former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal welcomed the Supreme Court judgment on ADC.
He said: “This ruling (judgment) stands as a strong affirmation of the supremacy of the rule of law and the enduring strength of our democratic institutions.
“At a time when there are growing concerns about the integrity of political processes, today’s (yesterday’s) decision sends a clear and reassuring message that the judiciary remains a steadfast guardian of justice, fairness, and constitutional order.
“Importantly, this judgment has now put to rest all questions around the leadership of the party, affirming the legitimacy of the leadership under distinguished Senator David Mark and H.E Rauf Aregbesola.
“This clarity is critical for stability, unity, and the continued growth of the party within Nigeria’s democratic space.”
INEC restores ADC leadership on portal
INEC has restored the names of the Senator David Mark-led National Working Committee on its website.
The Commission restored the names at about 9.30 pm following the Supreme Court judgment.
Back on the portal are David Mark as National Chairman, Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, Dr. Mani Ibrahim Ahmad as Organising Treasurer, Akibu Dalhatu as National Financial Secretary and Prof Oserheimen Osunbor as National Legal Adviser.
