Dumebi Kachikwu, the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, has stated that neither David Mark nor Nafiu Bala possesses a legitimate mandate to lead the party amid the ongoing leadership crisis.
His reaction followed a ruling by the Supreme Court of Nigeria directing both factions involved in the dispute to return to the Federal High Court for further hearing and determination of issues surrounding the party’s leadership tussle.
In a statement released after the judgment, Kachikwu said the apex court’s decision to set aside the earlier appeal court order maintaining the status quo did not amount to recognising any faction as the authentic leadership of the party.
According to him, the ruling simply allows both camps to continue their claims while the lower court determines the rightful leadership structure within the ADC.
Kachikwu likened the dispute to individuals contesting ownership without legal proof, insisting that neither side has established a valid constitutional claim to control the party.
He further maintained that the Supreme Court did not direct the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognise the faction associated with David Mark.
The former presidential candidate also referenced an earlier judgment delivered by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, which upheld the tenure of the party’s existing state executive committees.
According to Kachikwu, the court affirmed that the current state executives still retain their constitutional powers and responsibilities, including the authority to conduct state congresses.
He added that the court described the appointment of alternative congress committees as unconstitutional and an attempt to unlawfully override duly elected officials whose tenure had not expired.
Kachikwu noted that the judgment also issued a perpetual injunction restraining the affected parties from conducting state congresses or organising a national convention pending proper legal resolution.
He insisted that the various court decisions further strengthen his argument that the rival factions lack lawful authority to take over the party leadership.
