The Federal High Court in Abuja has affirmed the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under former Senate President, David Mark, dismissing a suit challenging his emergence as the party’s National Chairman.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Musa Liman struck out the case filed by House of Representatives member, Leke Abejide, describing it as lacking merit and beyond the jurisdiction of the court.
The court upheld the preliminary objections raised by the ADC, former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu, Mark, and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who currently serves as the party’s National Secretary.
Justice Liman ruled that the dispute concerned the internal affairs of the party and was therefore non-justiciable. He further held that Abejide failed to establish that his rights had been violated and did not exhaust the ADC’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms before approaching the court.
The judge also resolved all substantive issues in favour of the defendants, declaring that the emergence of Mark and Aregbesola complied with the ADC constitution, the Electoral Act 2026, and all relevant party regulations.
According to the court, the July 2, 2025 stakeholders’ meeting where former chairman Nwosu handed over leadership responsibilities did not breach any provision of the party’s constitution. The court further noted that the subsequent National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on July 29, 2025, which formally produced Mark and Aregbesola as party leaders, was duly monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Consequently, Justice Liman declared the leadership of Mark and Aregbesola valid and legally binding.
In addition, the court imposed financial penalties on the plaintiff, ordering Abejide to pay N2 million each to all defendants. The court also awarded N10 million costs against his counsel in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
Abejide had filed the suit seeking to nullify the transfer of ADC leadership from Nwosu to Mark and Aregbesola and to restrain both men from presenting themselves as leaders of the party. He also sought an order preventing INEC from recognizing them in their respective positions.
With Thursday’s ruling, the court has effectively brought an end to the legal challenge against the ADC leadership under David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola.
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