The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered Senator David Mark and his allies in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to appear on September 15 over a leadership tussle rocking the party.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the summons after refusing an ex-parte request by former ADC Deputy National Chairman, Nafiu Gombe, who is also laying claim to the party’s chairmanship. Gombe had asked the court to stop Mark’s group from parading themselves as leaders and to restrain INEC from recognising them.
The defendants in the suit include the ADC, Senator Mark, former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola (Interim National Secretary), INEC, and former ADC chairman Ralph Nwosu.
Justice Nwite declined to stop the Mark-led team but ordered them to appear and show cause why Gombe’s request should not be granted. The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, was filed on September 2.
The leadership crisis worsened after INEC recently recognised Mark and Aregbesola as leaders of the party, following the dissolution of ADC structures to accommodate a coalition backed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 elections.
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In a separate suit, ADC members Adeyemi Emmanuel, Ayodeji Victor Tolu, and Haruna Ismaila also challenged the legitimacy of the interim leadership. They argued that the party’s 2018 constitution does not allow interim positions, insisting that only a National Convention or NEC meeting can replace the executive.
Meanwhile, the ADC has dismissed reports that the court restrained Mark and Aregbesola. In a statement, Interim National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi said the reports were “fake news” spread by political actors who failed to stop INEC’s recognition of the new leadership.
“Justice Nwite clearly refused the ex-parte application and only directed that the defendants appear on September 15. Claims that the court granted an injunction are deliberate distortions,” Abdullahi said.
He accused “agents of destabilisation” of misrepresenting the court ruling to confuse the public and weaken opposition parties.
The matter will continue on September 15 for hearing.