By NEFISHETU YAKUBU

African Democratic Congress (ADC) has welcomed the Supreme Court ruling affirming Sen. David Mark as the National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, said the judgment reinforced the primacy of rule of law.

Abdullahi described the judgment as clear validation of its leadership position and confirmation of the fact that INEC’s decision to de-recognise the Mark leadership was faulty.

He also said that the ruling justified the party’s faith in the Supreme Court of Nigeria as the ultimate guardian of democratic justice.

The spokesman commended the five-man panel of the apex court, saying that its unanimous judgment had brought honour to Nigeria’s judiciary and democratic system.

He urged party members and democratic stakeholders nationwide to remain vigilant while renewing ADC’s call for INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan’s resignation.

“ADC congratulates all our members and leaders across the country on today’s Supreme Court ruling affirming our party leadership,” Abdullahi said

The ruling, according to him, is a clear and unequivocal affirmation that ADC structures and leadership remained legitimate.

Abdullahi said that the ruling laid had to rest contrived disputes and manufactured uncertainties surrounding the party’s national leadership.

He added that the judgment reinforced the principle that rule of law, not political manipulation, must guide democratic affairs.

Abdullahi, however, said that the party would not mistake the judgment for an end to its democratic struggle.

He said that the party would not be intimidated, distracted or silenced in its mission to provide Nigerians with a credible alternative.

Abdullahi said that ADC remained committed to ending insecurity, reducing cost of living and creating jobs for Nigerians.

He urged party members, supporters and democratic stakeholders to remain vigilant, stressing that democracy requires constant participation and courage.

Abdullahi also demanded the immediate restoration of the Mark-led leadership on INEC’s website and all other official communication channels.

He said that the party would remain firm, speak clearly and act decisively in defence of democracy, justice and the Nigerian people. (NAN)