Supporters of the Senator David Mark-led faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Monday stormed the entrance of the Federal High Court in Abuja to protest what they described as attempts to use the judiciary against the opposition party. The demonstration came as the court continues to hear the long-running leadership crisis rocking the ADC.
Hundreds of party members gathered at the court premises, carrying placards and chanting slogans. They urged the judiciary not to allow itself to be used to stifle opposition parties in Nigeria.The protest took place amid an ongoing legal battle between the David Mark-led National Working Committee and the rival faction led by Nafiu Bala-Gombe.
The crisis escalated after the Supreme Court earlier restored Senator David Mark’s leadership pending the full determination of the suit at the Federal High Court. INEC had previously removed Mark and Rauf Aregbesola’s names from its portal following an earlier court order. The Mark-led group is challenging moves they believe are designed to weaken the party ahead of the 2027 general elections. Many of the protesters accused certain elements of trying to hijack the ADC through the courts.
Political observers say the continued crisis is damaging the ADC’s credibility as a viable alternative to the ruling APC. The public protest at the court is seen as an attempt by the Mark-led group to put pressure on the judiciary and draw national attention to their grievances.As of the time of filing this report, the rival Bala-Gombe faction is yet to issue an official reaction to Monday’s protest. The Federal High Court is expected to continue hearing the matter as both sides dig in for what promises to be a prolonged legal battle.
