ABUJA — The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed reports claiming that a court order removed Senator David Mark and former Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, as National Chairman and National Secretary of the party, describing the stories as politically motivated fake news.
In a statement issued on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC clarified that Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, did not sack the duo but only rejected an ex-parte application filed by Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe on September 4, 2025.
According to the certified ruling signed by Justice Nwite and certified by the court registrar, Kasope Kafayat Bola, the judge made four orders: refusal of the plaintiff’s ex-parte motion, notice to defendants, directive for them to appear, and adjournment of the case to September 15 for hearing.
“Contrary to misleading publications, the court did not restrain Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola from functioning as National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC. What the court ordered was for the defendants to be notified and to appear to show cause why the application should not be granted,” the statement read.
The clarification follows the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) recent recognition of the new ADC leadership under Mark and Aregbesola — a move that has sparked resistance within the party.
The ADC accused “political jobbers” of misrepresenting the court ruling to destabilise the party after failing to stop INEC from acknowledging its new leadership.
“Having failed to stop INEC from acknowledging the leadership change in ADC, these agents of destabilisation are now resorting to misrepresenting court rulings to sow confusion and undermine opposition parties,” the party stated.
The ADC further urged journalists and the public to verify reports before circulation, warning against the dangers of misinformation.
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