Breaking: Court Fixes Date To Decide Leadership Dispute In ADC Involving Mark, Aregbesola

The case was instituted by Leke Abejide, the only member of the party in the House of Representatives representing Yagba Federal Constituency of Kogi State, who is challenging the party’s current leadership structure.

Abejide is seeking the removal of Mark and other NEC members, arguing that their emergence did not follow the provisions of the ADC constitution.

Justice Musa Liman has fixed Monday for judgment after lawyers representing all parties adopted their final arguments.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, lists the ADC, Ralph Nwosu, David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants.

The plaintiff is specifically contesting the process through which former ADC National Chairman Ralph Nwosu handed over leadership to Mark as Interim National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as Interim National Secretary, describing it as unconstitutional.

He argued that the July 2, 2025, handover ceremony held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja was not approved by a properly constituted NEC or national convention, and therefore violated the party’s constitution.

Abejide is asking the court to declare the entire leadership transfer illegal and void under Article 19(14) of the ADC constitution, while also seeking the nullification of the appointments.

He further wants a perpetual injunction stopping Mark and Aregbesola from parading themselves as interim leaders of the party, as well as an order preventing INEC from recognising them in those roles.

His argument also cites alleged violations of Section 82 of the Electoral Act 2022, insisting that due process was not followed in the leadership change.

During proceedings, his counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Ibrahim Idris, argued that the emergence of the current leadership breached both the party constitution and electoral law. He also questioned the legality of a waiver reportedly granted to the leaders and said constitutional amendments were not properly concluded or submitted to INEC within the required timeframe.

He further argued that no party organ has the authority to suspend provisions of the ADC constitution, describing such actions as invalid.

However, counsel to the ADC, Shaibu Aruwa (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the suit, arguing that it concerns internal party affairs which fall outside judicial jurisdiction.

Other defence lawyers representing the various defendants also asked the court to strike out the case, maintaining that the issues raised are not justiciable.

With all arguments concluded, the court is expected to deliver its judgment on Monday, which could have significant implications for the party’s leadership structure.