ADC In Turmoil: Members Sue David Mark, Party Leaders Over Alleged Irregularities

Three members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have instituted a legal action at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to annul the appointment of Senator David Mark and other prominent figures as the party’s interim leaders.

The plaintiffs — Adeyemi Emmanuel, Ayodeji Victor Tolu, and Haruna Ismaila — argue that the interim leadership arrangement contravenes the ADC’s constitution and disregards a prior court judgment. They contend that the transition of the party’s leadership to individuals allegedly involved in a political merger aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu in 2027 violates both internal rules and judicial directives.

Filed under suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1328, the case lists the ADC as the 1st defendant, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the 2nd, and the party’s immediate past National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, as the 3rd.

Also named in the suit are:

• Senator David Mark, recently announced as Interim National Chairman (4th defendant),

• Former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, serving as Interim National Secretary (5th defendant), and

• Former Minister of Sports Bolaji Abdullahi, appointed Interim National Publicity Secretary (6th defendant).

The plaintiffs are challenging the legality of these appointments, questioning whether they align with the ADC Constitution (2018, as amended), and whether interim positions are recognized within the party’s governing document. They further dispute the eligibility of Mark, Aregbesola, and Abdullahi to occupy such roles, citing their alleged lack of proper registration with the party.

One of the key legal questions posed is:
“Were the appointments of the 4th, 5th, and 6th Defendants made in contravention of the African Democratic Congress Constitution, 2018 (as amended)?”

In addition, the plaintiffs question INEC’s decision to recognise the interim leadership and argue that Ralph Nwosu’s handover of power breaches a standing judgment delivered by Justice Binta Nyako on December 21, 2022, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/1541/2022.

The suit casts a shadow over a newly formed political coalition led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, which recently adopted the ADC as a platform to contest the 2027 elections against the APC-led government. Following that development, Nwosu had announced the dissolution of existing party structures to accommodate the interim leadership.

Among the reliefs sought, the plaintiffs are asking the court to declare the interim appointments unconstitutional, unlawful, and void, while also restraining INEC from granting them official recognition.