The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has mobilized a formidable legal team of 97 lawyers to defend its interim leadership including former Senate President David Mark and former Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola against what it calls a “fake lawsuit” allegedly sponsored by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made on Tuesday in Abuja by Barrister Mohammed Sheriff, who is leading the ADC’s national legal team. Sheriff accused the APC of filing a lawsuit using the identities of individuals who are neither members of the ADC nor authorized to act on its behalf.
This legal counter offensive comes in the wake of a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja between the ADC’s interim National Chairman, Senator David Mark, and members of the party’s Kogi State chapter.
In his remarks, Mark emphasized inclusiveness and transparency, asserting that no one person including himself holds greater ownership of the ADC than any other member.
“I don’t own this party more than any other member,” Mark declared. “All Nigerians must come together to take ownership of the ADC.”
He urged party members to set aside internal disagreements and unite to build a credible alternative political force, warning that democracy in Nigeria is at risk if citizens remain passive and disengaged.
Mark also criticized the APC for focusing on personal attacks rather than governance, pointing to worsening insecurity despite earlier promises of improvement.
“If they admitted insecurity was bad and pledged to fix it but made it worse—should Nigerians still support them? The answer is no,” he stated.
APC Accused of Fabricating Names in Suit
The ADC alleges that the names listed as plaintiffs in the suit were fabricated and do not correspond to registered party members from Kogi or Nasarawa States.
“It reeks of desperation that a party responsible for governing over 200 million Nigerians would resort to such deceitful tactics,” the ADC said in a statement.
The party dismissed the lawsuit as politically motivated and an attempt by the APC to disrupt its internal reorganization.
Legal Team Vows Strong Defense
Barrister Sheriff confirmed that 97 legal practitioners from across the country had volunteered to defend the party and its interim leaders.
“We are fully prepared to challenge this baseless and politically motivated lawsuit. The ADC will not be intimidated,” he said.
Senator Mark closed the meeting with a call for national unity and encouraged Nigerians to support the ADC’s efforts to build a people-focused, transparent, and progressive democracy.
“Let’s join hands to rebuild this country for the generations to come,” he urged.
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