Political Tension Rises As Aregbesola Challenges Judge Handling ADC Case

The application was filed less than 24 hours before the scheduled hearing of a case brought by Nafiu-Bala Gombe against the leadership headed by former Senate President David Mark.

Justice Lifu had fixed the matter for hearing after the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, John Tsoho, reassigned the case to his court.

The case was originally before Justice Emeka Nwite but was later transferred following his nomination among judges recommended for elevation to the Court of Appeal.

Gombe is contesting the legitimacy of the David Mark-led faction of the ADC.

In a motion dated June 1 and filed on June 2 through his counsel, Mohammed Sheriff, Aregbesola asked Justice Lifu to recuse himself and return the matter to the Chief Judge for reassignment.

The former Osun State governor argued that certain developments in previous related matters created a reasonable perception of bias.

He maintained that the Constitution guarantees every litigant the right to a fair hearing before an impartial court.

Aregbesola referenced an earlier ADC-related case, alleging that Justice Lifu made decisions he believed were inconsistent with legal procedure.

He claimed the court granted accelerated hearing in a non–pre-election matter and declined applications for a stay of proceedings despite a pending appeal.

He further cited proceedings at the Court of Appeal, where a stay of further proceedings was eventually granted.

According to him, these issues could lead a reasonable observer to question the fairness of the ongoing proceedings.

“The applicant has no confidence in this court to administer justice in these proceedings,” he stated.

He added that a fair-minded observer could reasonably perceive a lack of impartiality in the court’s handling of the case.

The suit was filed by Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC, who is seeking to restrain David Mark, Aregbesola, and members of the interim National Working Committee from presenting themselves as party leaders.

He argues that their emergence violated the ADC constitution and provisions of the Electoral Act.

The defendants in the case include the ADC, David Mark, Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and former ADC National Chairman Ralph Nwosu.

The dispute is part of a wider internal crisis within the ADC following its presidential primary.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar emerged as the party’s presidential candidate after defeating Rotimi Amaechi and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen at the national convention.

However, a rival faction later held a separate convention and presented Dumebi Kachikwu as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election.