JUST-IN: Court adjourns judgment in suit challenging David Mark, Aregbesola as ADC leaders

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday adjourned judgment in a suit filed by Rep Leke Abejide challenging the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) until April 14.

Abejide is seeking an order restraining David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from parading themselves as the party’s national chairman and national secretary, respectively.

The matter, slated for judgment before Justice Musa Liman, could not proceed after the judge was said to be engaged in another official assignment.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, was filed on February 15, 2026. Named as defendants are the ADC, Ralph Nwosu, Mark, Aregbesola, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Abejide is asking the court to nullify the transfer of the party’s leadership from Nwosu to Mark and Aregbesola, describing the process as unlawful, illegal, null and void. He also wants the court to stop INEC from recognising them as leaders of the party.

However, counsel to the defendants urged the court to dismiss the suit, arguing that the case concerns the internal affairs of a political party and is therefore not justiciable. They also maintained that the Mark-led leadership emerged through a National Executive Committee meeting held on July 29, 2025, and not through the process challenged by the plaintiff.

INEC, through its counsel, also asked the court to dismiss the matter.

The ruling is now expected on April 14, a decision that could have major implications for the party’s leadership structure and ongoing political activities.