The Federal High Court in Abuja has summoned Senator David Mark-led interim leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to appear before it on September 15 to explain why the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should not be restrained from recognizing their authority.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order on September 4 after refusing an ex-parte application filed by former Deputy National Chairman Nafiu Gombe. Gombe, who claims the party’s chairmanship, sought an interim injunction to stop Mark’s faction from parading themselves as party leaders.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, asks the court to prevent INEC from recognizing Mark and his allies as National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC pending the determination of the substantive matter. The defendants in the case include ADC, Mark, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (Interim National Secretary), INEC, and former ADC National Chairman Chief Ralph Nwosu. Justice Nwite declined to grant the ex-parte relief, instead ordering the defendants to be put on notice and directing them to appear on September 15 to show cause why the application should not be granted.
This case is one of several legal battles within the ADC following INEC’s recognition of the Mark-led National Working Committee. Another suit challenges the legitimacy of the interim leadership, arguing that the appointment of Mark, Aregbesola, and Bolaji Abdullahi (Interim National Publicity Secretary) violated the ADC’s 2018 constitution, which doesn’t provide for interim leadership positions.
The crisis began after a coalition backed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar adopted the ADC as its platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027. Following the announcement, Chief Nwosu dissolved existing party structures to pave the way for the coalition’s new leadership framework.
The ADC has dismissed reports of a court injunction against Mark and Aregbesola as fake news, urging the public to remain vigilant against misinformation.