INEC Restores David Mark-Led NWC In Response To Supreme Court Judgment

Added: 2026-05-08

[00:00:00]Hang out time being a welcome to the on the program. INEC restores [clears throat] the David Mark led NWC in response to Supreme Court judgment. Olure Danet and Folabi Foundation unveils News Watch 5 lecture series tribute session for late media icon Yakubu Mohammed. And later on the show in Lagos at just say ignores consensus arrangement picks APC 50 millionaire governorship nomination form. Well, I'll be hanging out with Charles Idowu and Khadijah Ladende. Join us hang out starts right now.

[00:00:38]Now let's begin the conversation.

[00:00:39]Authority often finds its clearest voice and legitimacy in the rule of law. And in our democracy, the courtroom frequently becomes the arena where political identity is settled. The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has been stated the David Mark led National Working Committee of the African Democratic Congress ADC acting in compliance with the Supreme Court judgment on the protracted leadership dispute within the party. INEC's earlier withdrawal of recognition reflected a confusion, but the apex court ruling provided a position compelling the commission to formally acknowledge Mark's leadership.

[00:01:24]Okay, [snorts] yesterday we yeah, we got this news. It came in as breaking news.

[00:01:30]And then we talked about it a little, but this time we dig deep into it. I'll start with you Charles Idowu. The Supreme Court now has now restored David Mark NWC. Tell us what Tell us what the judgment means.

[00:01:45]Okay, I think there are for me there are so many angles to that verdict.

[00:01:52]Number one is the fact that um the what the appeal court did uh as as lawyers would say is earlier to the judicial process.

[00:02:03]The um the court the high court the Federal High Court has said that they should serve David Mark that uh the uh what's his name now Bala Bala Usman should serve David Mark and give reason why that uh the motion should be should should should should go on. Okay. Okay, that was still subsisting. It was of course I know there's it was an error on the part of ADC to have run to the appellate court to go over there.

[00:02:30]What the appeal court ought to have done was okay, why don't you go back to the serve them? Mhm. No, no, no, because that that that that before that phrase today is still causing a lot of trouble to status quo and to Bala Mohammed and all that. We do we know the meaning, but a lot of people are now defining it in a way to suit them. And that created they created a whole lot of trouble in the polity. And they were fingers were now being pointed at the ruling party as being being responsible for the for for the orchestration of this and that and all the the you remember this issue of a one party state being being flown the kite being flown anyway. So I think what the Supreme Court did yesterday was what the appeal court ought to have done to say return to where it is and then find a way to look at first you go and serve these people. Serve them. Then you serve them first and then you return. After you return you don't know whether that motion was going to be granted. And then both of those ADC should have should have waited for the ban. It was good that they went to the Supreme Court. As I said there are so many the angle and all of that. I think this is also a reprieve for us all both political watchers both journalists and all of sort for for for what has happened because they just say general law in the system. The that hype the the what the what's his name the Biobaku I call the convolution of the political >> [laughter] >> Then APC again the stones political stones being hurled at the party as being responsible. That's also now and APC also go back to say okay they too nobody's going to be wrong with them. So I think for me it both were for us both were for the polity both were for opposition structure in this country. All right, let's talk about the implication of the Supreme Court ruling on the ADC. Yeah, the implication is just to say that whatever is not before the Supreme Court Supreme Court is not going to intervene.

[00:04:21]So this is just to let us know that um I keep saying it and I think I'm not going to swallow my words on that. What the INEC chairman has done is to help ADC to know their real status.

[00:04:36]It's because if not for the INEC chairman who had said that hey go and address this appeal court ruling.

[00:04:44]This appeal court ruling is not sending a good signal that I should recognize you. Because nobody told INEC to recognize David Mark led committee before this issue came up. And the same INEC is now saying based on this paper Yes.

[00:05:00]I don't think it is right for us to keep recognizing you. Go and sort it out. So that's what David Mark team because if they disregarded INEC chairman's statement they wouldn't have gone to Supreme Court. So what Supreme Court has done is that is to now you know elucidate that point that ADC was making that the appeal court's position was totally uncalled for. Okay. So and that's what the Supreme Court has done. So Supreme Court has gone to say hey this matter wait for it to be sorted at the Federal High Court.

[00:05:33]>> Mhm. So in clear terms because I I think I appreciate I must mention his name someone like Liberal So Shoma.

[00:05:40]>> Okay. All right. He's been explaining it and the latest one he did on his Facebook was even say it in pigeon so that people can understand it clearly.

[00:05:48]And I totally agree to what he has explained.

[00:05:51]>> Okay. So what he has explained quoting him now so that people don't think they are just bloody unlearned.

[00:05:58]No, we we are educated. They are educated. They are learned.

[00:06:02]>> [laughter] >> So what he has explained is that excuse me this case has not been determined.

[00:06:10]>> Yes. Okay.

[00:06:11]>> Go back to the Federal High Court. So why INEC which I think you will ask later why INEC has recognized has put David Mark's name back is that that was what they were doing before they went to that appeal court >> Okay. So what you are now saying is the Supreme Court ruling is this a short-lived victory for the ADC?

[00:06:31]>> Of course it is. Don't forget the the ruling on Wednesday. That's a different matter where the state >> The uh Justice Joyce Abdulmalik Abdulmalik with the state said that hey let these people finish their four years. Who declared them non chairman and they should also you know conduct the congresses. So that's another issue that I think is a headache that ADC had to deal with.

[00:06:56]Okay. Now he has talked about we're we're still going to talk more on that.

[00:07:00]But let's talk about the outcomes. Time.

[00:07:03]Mhm. The [clears throat] window is there.

[00:07:04]>> The ADC will have to go to the Federal High Court you know to sort out Now do you think they will be able to meet up with the electoral timeline? What what would you advise the ADC do at this time? Well, I think I also love what the ADC did at that time. Even though the case cases were subsisting in the court they went ahead to conduct that national convention which of course they are going to be holding up against for whatever outcome positive for them negative, but at least they are holding it in their kitty. Um they might also want to continue running their business while these cases are I think at last count there's about there's about 13 cases similar cases in regarding ADC court either 12 or 13. So how they are going to be able to dispense with that within the time frame is I think it's very tight. So what would you advise?

[00:07:54]>> But what I advise is that um uh well I think there's nothing but if if they can approach the court if it's possible I don't know I'm not a lawyer.

[00:08:03]If they can approach that Federal High Court say okay they are seeking accelerated hearing. Mhm. I think that's also possible in in law. Accelerated hearing or accelerated hearing whatever they call it for them to determine whether indeed the um NWC led by >> Yes. the Mark. Okay, the following the resignation following the resignation of Bala Usman and that whether that will stand or the current NWC led by the Mark which one will stand. I think they they need to go to court if you are asking me to say whether there's going to be accelerated hearing expedited hearing for them to know okay because the time the time is very short for them to be able to come up. And then they also have their primaries upon them. So how would they be able to navigate the murky waters right now is is a whole lot to chew. The time. Do you think they will be able to meet up?

[00:08:54]Where do you think this will eventually end up?

[00:08:57]>> Uh because it's a difficult question.

[00:08:59]And it's a difficult situation. And I want to believe that I do not envy the the ADC leaders at this time.

[00:09:07]And the politicians I think one thing people should understand is that Nigerian politicians are not gullible.

[00:09:14]They are not stupid. They are not fools.

[00:09:17]I I maybe I should say this here. I won't be surprised if there is a plan B by these politicians to find another platform because from the situation at hand I think the only option for them if we were to advise is to continue moving as if nothing is wrong. Yeah, that's exactly what we said what I said.

[00:09:36]Because INEC INEC is dealing with the law.

[00:09:40]The law is the law. Okay.

[00:09:43]>> The law will not suspend itself because one of the players is having issue.

[00:09:49]You understand? Because if you say oh INEC should wait for ADC to resolve all these issues amend their timetable do all stuff because Because they've not even started selling forms.

[00:10:00]>> Yes. Because for example now, they will definitely go ahead with this uh this recognition by INEC.

[00:10:07]They will go ahead not forgetting that there are issues because I didn't even know they were up to this Up to 2023, yeah. Because I'm even referring to the Joyce Abdulmalik judgment. Because that alone is enough distraction. No, because what that means is that They must conduct fresh state congresses. There cannot be convention in their local congresses.

[00:10:28]But it's from the bottom up to the top.

[00:10:30]But you talked about Justice Joyce Abdulmalik the ruling on Wednesday. But with this ruling yesterday by the Supreme Court has it rendered the the judgment by Justice Abdulmalik academic or is still a living matter or It's a living matter. It's a It's a live one on its own. It's It's a different case. If you If you read that judgment, that judgment was so loaded that the the judgment was derived from the ground norm, the constitution. Okay. But I think it's embedded. Okay, go ahead.

[00:11:03]Yeah, because the constitution is saying that the constitution, not the electoral law now, is saying that uh executive shall use 4 years in their tenure.

[00:11:15]You know, so these people have not finished their 4 years. And these people are saying that who made us ex-chairman? We are still the chairman Mhm. of these various states. So, technically speaking, these people are saying that And the constitution also empowers them. The constitution The constitution. also empowers them to conduct state congresses. State congresses to to elect new executives. So, whatever congresses produce that convention that they are doing is already a nullity. So, for me, like I said Let me allow court to determine that.

[00:11:50]So, while court will determine that, let them just continue moving on or find an alternative.

[00:11:57]>> will not help them. Tell me why. The reason is because the alternative you're talking about now is that the platform already already here and there. There are structures waiting structures Don't Don't Don't Don't Don't be deceived. No, no, don't be deceived.

[00:12:10]Somebody come into my house. I already have everything set up. You're coming to now take over. Because they're not coming to play second fiddle. They're coming because they are they are gladiators. So, those you're meeting on ground is exactly what's happening in Bauchi. We know We also happen. But what I think there's a good window of escape.

[00:12:26]The window of escape is that the the feathers that are ruffled amongst the state chairmen, they could call them together. Thankfully, there are two two two options for choosing leaders now.

[00:12:36]There is what they call the direct primaries and then the concession. So, they can say, "Okay, within within a week or so, they can they can do concession." And that concession Okay, like I said, they have to the the ruffled feathers have to be They have to do something about it.

[00:12:48]Appeal. They will appeal them Appeal to them, I meant. And then they could do that within a week. Then they do But do you know that there are still 12 cases? No, go ahead.

[00:12:58]Go ahead.

[00:12:59]If that is the only case because that one I didn't even know There are. until that judgment came. So, I don't know.

[00:13:05]It's a difficult situation. Trust me, I do not envy them. You can see us even trying to find solutions. Yes, exactly.

[00:13:12]Because I I saw you know, they were rejoicing in court and all that. And when that is that that is the [laughter] way And when that is that that is the joy As far as that judgment is concerned, it's in their favor. It's in their favor. They can celebrate that It's a reprieve. It's a reprieve. It's like scoring It's a It's a goal. It's like scoring a goal when the match is not ended. You will rejoice But if you So, that judgment kind of helps ADC's cause. Yeah, you know why? They may They may have been rejoicing because at least it has given a reprieve and then there is a kind of allowance for them to readjust whatever. And that because they were they were they were working on a tightrope. Suddenly, the tightrope removed and then they have freedom to move and then maybe Okay, somebody has given you about 12 by two Okay, what am I saying? Eight by eight eight eight by eight square meters to Yes. Suddenly, you're given a They're giving you They're giving you a hall. So, that's that's also happiness. So, you move You have space to move around. So, within that space to move around, they can be able to do this do this in order to say, "Okay, we have a way to move on." That's why I'm saying that I'm suggesting that they could do that appeal appeal to ruffled feathers, find a way to use perhaps the other platform of concessions and they do it. It's possible. All right, we have Chris calling in from Surulere. Chris, let's talk.

[00:14:25]Chris, are you still with us?

[00:14:29]Chris.

[00:14:31]Chris, do you want to talk to us or you want to clear your throat?

[00:14:34]Yes, I'd I'd like to contribute to the discussion. Go ahead. Thank you. You see, the issue is you can't be cleverer than the constitution. All right.

[00:14:45]Hello. Go ahead. We can hear you. Go ahead. Okay. Now, you you you can't be cleverer than the constitution. And you can't also be coming through the back door.

[00:14:56]The problem is that these politicians that took over ADC already knew there were going to be fights. They knew there were going to be problems when they took over the party.

[00:15:07]When the former ship back called you to resign, okay? Okay. They left Bala Gombe because they thought he was a pushover.

[00:15:17]Now, that was why they are running helter-skelter. And I'll tell you this for free. This is a lesson to our politicians and political parties Mhm.

[00:15:27]that if they they do not work with their their fellow politicians like all these your party chairmen from the states and so on and so forth, okay?

[00:15:40]They will also have problem at the center. Everybody looks at the center as if the center is the beginning and end of all we do. Mhm. No. Once you don't start from the grassroots, you lose. And that is the problem of David Mark and his co-travelers who don't are coming in from the top. They're not bothered about what is happening down. So, if you hijack the machinery of the party, how will you run the party? Mhm.

[00:16:04]As it is, there's another issue, okay?

[00:16:06]>> Okay. The government is saying that ADC is one of the parties that didn't meet 25% in the year of last election. They should be deregistered. That's another issue. Mhm. So, at the end of the day, I tell you this, David Mark and will leave ADC as well. Mhm. And they will go to another party and destroy it. They keep moving from one party to the other till they retire. Okay. All right. Nigeria is better for you because we are now seeing that these politicians don't have us at the back of their mind. All right. Thank you very much. Thank you very much.

[00:16:37]Thank you very much. There's something I need to I was going to say I spoke I spoke with uh a beauty member of ADC this afternoon.

[00:16:45]Mhm. When the topic was sent to me Okay.

[00:16:47]He said very the Bala Bala Bala Bala Gombe >> Yes. He said that he wasn't even the person next in their hierarchy. After Wosu, you have uh deputy national chairman. And chairman maybe. He said the person who is next to the to Ralph Wosu was the one representing Southwest.

[00:17:08]I think he calls his name something Ajadi. If anybody was supposed to even say, "It is my turn," it's Ajadi, not Gombe. Cuz Gombe is the either third or fourth in that hierarchy. That's also a case that is not been mentioned in the media. All right. We'll keep our fingers crossed and see what's going to happen.