Court to Rule on ADC Leadership Dispute
Last update: April 11, 2026
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Federal High Court to rule on legality of ADC NEC leadership led by David Mark.
A Federal High Court in Abuja is set to determine, on Monday, the legality of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President, David Mark.
CBI News reports that the case was filed by Leke Abejide, the party’s only member in the House of Representatives, who represents Yagba Federal Constituency of Kogi State.
He is challenging the party’s leadership structure, arguing that the emergence of Mark and other NEC members violated the ADC constitution.
Justice Musa Liman fixed Monday for judgment after hearing final arguments from lawyers representing all parties involved in the suit.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, lists the ADC, Ralph Nwosu, David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants.
Abejide is asking the court to remove Mark and other NEC members, insisting that their appointment as Interim National Chairman and Interim National Secretary was unlawful.
He is also challenging the process through which Nwosu allegedly handed over leadership of the party at a meeting held on July 2, 2025, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.
According to him, the process did not comply with Article 19(14) of the ADC constitution and was not approved by a properly constituted National Executive Committee or National Convention.
He is seeking a declaration that the appointments are illegal, as well as an order nullifying them and restraining Mark and Aregbesola from presenting themselves as party leaders.
He also wants the court to stop INEC from recognising them in those positions, citing alleged breaches of Section 82 of the Electoral Act 2022.
During the hearing, Abejide’s counsel, Ibrahim Idris (SAN), argued that the process leading to the leadership change violated both the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.
He also questioned the validity of a waiver allegedly granted to the new leaders, insisting that constitutional amendments were not properly concluded and were not submitted to INEC within the required 30 days.
He further argued that no party organ had the authority to suspend provisions of the ADC constitution.
However, counsel to the ADC, Shaibu Aruwa (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the suit, arguing that it concerns the internal affairs of a political party, which fall outside judicial jurisdiction.
Lawyers representing other defendants, including P. I. Oyewole for Nwosu, Realwan Okpanachi for Mark, I. R. Abdullahi for Aregbesola, and Anthony Onyeri for INEC, also asked the court to dismiss the case on similar grounds.
With all arguments concluded, the court is expected to deliver its ruling on Monday.
