A political stakeholder and Interpol Systems Consultant, Sir Chikwe Udensi, has reacted to the recent Supreme Court judgment affirming Senator David Mark as the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), cautioning that the party’s legal and political battles may not yet be over.
Speaking in an interview with ABN TV shortly after the apex court’s decision, Udensi described the ruling as a positive development but stressed that it does not entirely resolve the lingering issues surrounding the party’s leadership crisis.
According to him, the directive for parties to return to the Federal High Court for further proceedings indicates that the matter is still within the legal system and far from being conclusively settled.
“We are not out of the woods,” Udensi said. “Asking them to go back to the Federal High Court still leaves us within the ambit of litigation. So, while it is a step forward, it is not the final destination.”
He likened the current situation to a partial victory, noting that “half bread is better than none,” suggesting that while the judgment offers some relief, uncertainties remain.
On whether the ADC, under the leadership of David Mark, would successfully appear on the ballot in the 2027 general elections, Udensi expressed reservations, citing what he described as a challenging political environment.
“You are talking about a very hostile government,” he said. “That level of hostility would likely leverage any available opportunity to target perceived opponents.”
Udensi further raised concerns about the consistency in the application of the rule of law, suggesting that political considerations could influence legal processes.
“That is where the problem lies — you don’t know when the rule of law will be allowed to take its course or when it will not,” he added.
Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, Udensi maintained that the situation remains uncertain, concluding that “it is not yet Uhuru,” a phrase indicating that total victory has not yet been achieved.
The Supreme Court judgment had earlier nullified the Court of Appeal’s order which affected the recognition of David Mark as ADC National Chairman, thereby restoring his leadership. However, developments following the ruling suggest that the legal and political contestations within the party may continue to unfold in the coming months.
