The Federal High Court in Abuja has summoned the Senator David Mark-led interim leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to appear before it on September 15, 2025, over a leadership dispute in the party.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order on September 4 after refusing an ex-parte application filed by a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC, Nafiu Gombe, who is also laying claim to the chairmanship.
Gombe had sought an interim injunction restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising Mark as interim national chairman and former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as interim national secretary. He argued that the faction lacked legitimacy to lead the party.
In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, the defendants include the ADC, Mark, Aregbesola, INEC, and former ADC chairman Chief Ralph Nwosu. Justice Nwite declined to grant the injunction, directing instead that the defendants be put on notice and appear before the court on September 15 to show cause why the application should not be granted.
The case is one of several ongoing legal battles within the ADC following INEC’s recent recognition of the Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC). In another suit, party members Adeyemi Emmanuel, Ayodeji Victor Tolu, and Haruna Ismaila are challenging the legitimacy of the interim leadership. They contend that the appointment of Mark, Aregbesola, and former Sports Minister Bolaji Abdullahi as interim executives violates the ADC’s 2018 constitution, which makes no provision for interim leadership positions.
According to the plaintiffs, only a properly convened National Convention or NEC meeting can dissolve or replace the executive committee. They also argued that the leadership change contravened a December 2022 judgment by Justice Binta Nyako.
The crisis followed the formation of a coalition — supported by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar — which adopted the ADC as its political platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027. To enable the coalition, Chief Nwosu dissolved the party’s existing structures to create room for a new leadership arrangement.
Meanwhile, the ADC has dismissed reports that the court restrained Mark and Aregbesola from parading themselves as leaders. In a statement on Thursday, National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi said the court merely declined the ex-parte application, ordered that the defendants be put on notice, and adjourned the matter to September 15.
He described contrary reports as “fake news” sponsored by political actors who failed to prevent INEC from recognising the new leadership. “These agents of destabilisation will stop at nothing, including misrepresenting court rulings, in their desperate efforts to sow confusion and weaken opposition parties,” Abdullahi said, urging the media and the public to guard against misinformation.
Court Summons ADC Interim Leaders Mark, Aregbesola to Appear Sept 15
ABUJA — The Federal High Court in Abuja has summoned the Senator David Mark-led interim leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to appear before it on September 15, 2025, over a leadership dispute in the party.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order on September 4 after refusing an ex-parte application filed by a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC, Nafiu Gombe, who is also laying claim to the chairmanship.
Gombe had sought an interim injunction restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising Mark as interim national chairman and former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as interim national secretary. He argued that the faction lacked legitimacy to lead the party.
In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, the defendants include the ADC, Mark, Aregbesola, INEC, and former ADC chairman Chief Ralph Nwosu. Justice Nwite declined to grant the injunction, directing instead that the defendants be put on notice and appear before the court on September 15 to show cause why the application should not be granted.
The case is one of several ongoing legal battles within the ADC following INEC’s recent recognition of the Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC). In another suit, party members Adeyemi Emmanuel, Ayodeji Victor Tolu, and Haruna Ismaila are challenging the legitimacy of the interim leadership. They contend that the appointment of Mark, Aregbesola, and former Sports Minister Bolaji Abdullahi as interim executives violates the ADC’s 2018 constitution, which makes no provision for interim leadership positions.
According to the plaintiffs, only a properly convened National Convention or NEC meeting can dissolve or replace the executive committee. They also argued that the leadership change contravened a December 2022 judgment by Justice Binta Nyako.
The crisis followed the formation of a coalition — supported by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar — which adopted the ADC as its political platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027. To enable the coalition, Chief Nwosu dissolved the party’s existing structures to create room for a new leadership arrangement.
Meanwhile, the ADC has dismissed reports that the court restrained Mark and Aregbesola from parading themselves as leaders. In a statement on Thursday, National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi said the court merely declined the ex-parte application, ordered that the defendants be put on notice, and adjourned the matter to September 15.
He described contrary reports as “fake news” sponsored by political actors who failed to prevent INEC from recognising the new leadership. “These agents of destabilisation will stop at nothing, including misrepresenting court rulings, in their desperate efforts to sow confusion and weaken opposition parties,” Abdullahi said, urging the media and the public to guard against misinformation.
