BREAKING: ADC Crisis Takes New Twist As Mark, Aregbesola Oppose Fresh Court Move

The leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has taken another twist as the party’s National Chairman, Senator David Mark, and National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, opposed a fresh application filed by party chieftain Nafiu Bala Gombe to amend his claims in the ongoing leadership dispute.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Mark and Aregbesola told the court that granting the application would be unfair and could lead to a miscarriage of justice.

Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC, through his lawyer, Lukman Fagbemi, asked the court for permission to further amend the originating summons challenging the emergence of Mark, Aregbesola and other party officials. The request marks the third amendment to the suit.

He argued that the law allows a claimant to amend court processes at any stage before judgment. The application is supported by eight grounds and a six-paragraph affidavit.

However, counsel to Senator Mark, Suleiman Umar, urged the court to reject the request, arguing that both parties had already exchanged their legal arguments. He maintained that allowing another amendment after the defence had been filed would give Gombe an unfair advantage and prejudice his client.

Representing Aregbesola, lawyer Realwan Okpanachi also opposed the application, insisting that Gombe was attempting to substantially alter the nature of his case through the proposed amendments.

Okpanachi argued that the ADC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) lawfully restructured the party’s national leadership during its meeting on July 29, 2025. He added that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had been duly notified of the meeting on July 1, making the appointments of Mark and Aregbesola legally valid.

He further claimed that Gombe initially relied on an unsigned copy of the ADC Constitution but now seeks to introduce a signed version through the amended filing in a bid to strengthen his case.

Describing the move as an abuse of court process and an act of bad faith, Aregbesola’s counsel urged Justice Lifu to dismiss the application, especially as it came after the Supreme Court directed that the matter be heard on an accelerated basis.

Following submissions from both parties, Justice Lifu adjourned the matter until July 7 to deliver a ruling on whether Gombe will be allowed to amend his claims.

Gombe is asking the court to restrain David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola and other party officials from presenting themselves as the legitimate leaders of the ADC.