The Federal High Court in Abuja has affirmed Senator David Mark’s leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), dismissing a suit challenging his emergence as party chairman.
Justice Musa Liman, delivering judgment on Thursday, ruled that the court lacked jurisdiction to intervene in the party’s internal affairs, describing the matter as non-justiciable. The judge also held that Representative Leke Abejide, who instituted the legal challenge, failed to demonstrate any violation of his rights arising from Mark’s leadership.
The court upheld preliminary objections filed by the ADC, former national chairman Chief Ralph Nwosu, Mark and Rauf Aregbesola, who serves as national secretary.
Justice Liman further determined that Abejide had not exhausted the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms before approaching the court, a prerequisite for such legal action.
In a significant blow to the plaintiff, the judge resolved all three substantive issues in favour of the defendants, declaring that the transition of party leadership from Nwosu to Mark complied fully with the ADC constitution and relevant electoral laws.
The court acknowledged that the disputed July 2, 2025 stakeholder meeting was a precursor to the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of July 29, 2025, which produced Mark and Aregbesola. The NEC proceedings were monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Consequently, Justice Liman declared the emergence of Mark and Aregbesola as ADC leaders valid and consistent with the party’s constitution, the Electoral Act 2026 and relevant legislation.
The judge imposed a N2 million fine against Abejide in favour of each defendant, totalling N8 million, and levied a separate N10 million penalty against Abejide’s counsel for contravening the Electoral Act 2026.
Abejide had sought multiple reliefs, including an order nullifying Nwosu’s handover to Mark and Aregbesola as interim national chairman and secretary respectively, and injunctions restraining INEC from recognising the new leadership. He had alleged the appointments violated Section 82 of the Electoral Act 2022.
