Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged supporters of the African Democratic Congress not to celebrate prematurely after the Supreme Court affirmed Senator David Mark as national chairman of the party, saying the ruling is only one step in a broader political struggle ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a statement issued after the judgment, Atiku described the apex court’s decision as an important victory for both the party and Nigerians seeking a stronger opposition platform, but warned that the legal win should not breed complacency. “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,” he said, adding that “the road ahead remains long” in the effort to “take back and rescue” the country.
The ruling is expected to stabilise the ADC after months of internal leadership disputes and clear the way for renewed focus on opposition coordination, party strategy and voter mobilisation. Punch reported that the Supreme Court set aside a controversial “status quo ante bellum” order in the dispute, ruling that such preservative directives cannot continue once a matter has been fully concluded.
Atiku framed the outcome as a collective triumph for Nigerians who have refused to give up on democratic change, but stressed that the challenge now is to convert courtroom success into political momentum. His remarks reflect a shift within the opposition from legal battles toward the harder task of building a credible electoral alternative before 2027.
