Atiku warns ADC against complacency after Supreme Court victory

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has cautioned the African Democratic Congress (ADC) against complacency following the Supreme Court’s ruling that set aside the Court of Appeal’s judgment in the party’s leadership dispute.

The Supreme Court on Thursday overturned the Court of Appeal’s ruling directing rival factions of the ADC to return to the status quo ante bellum. In the judgment delivered by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, the five-member panel held that the Federal High Court was right in directing that all defendants in the substantive suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe be put on notice to show why the ex parte application should not be granted. The apex court also upheld the Court of Appeal’s ruling that the appellants ought to have obtained leave of the lower court before appealing the substantive matter.

Reacting to the development, Abubakar said in a statement on Thursday that the ruling validated the courage of Nigerians who refused to surrender their future.

However, he said the struggle had not ended yet, urging members and supporters not to be complacent.

He stated, “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, that, “This victory belongs to Nigerians, the courageous millions who refuse to surrender their future. We thank them, and we urge them to remain steadfast, because the struggle is far from over.”

Abubakar reaffirmed the party’s readiness to rescue the country from the All Progressives Congress.

“The road ahead remains long in our cause to take back and rescue our country. As we press on, let this truth guide us: eternal vigilance is the price of liberty,” the ADC chieftain stated.

The apex court’s ruling overturning the Court of Appeal’s decision means the Mark-led leadership will be sustained pending the determination of the substantive suit.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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