Court Drama Deepens: Hearing Set For April 14 In Suit Challenging David Mark’s ADC Leadership

Bala is asking the court to stop the Mark-led leadership from presenting themselves as national officers of the party and from carrying out official party functions.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, lists the ADC, David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and former ADC National Chairman Ralph Nwosu as defendants.

In his claim, Bala argues that he never resigned his position as National Vice Chairman and insists he should have automatically assumed leadership following Nwosu’s exit as party chairman. On that basis, he declared himself the rightful National Chairman of the ADC, citing provisions of the party’s constitution.

He is also asking the court to restrain INEC from recognising the Mark-led executives and to instead recognise him as the acting National Chairman of the party. In addition, he is seeking orders stopping the ADC from holding meetings, congresses, or conventions until the case is resolved.

When the matter first came up, Justice Emeka Nwite directed the defendants to appear and justify why Bala’s requests should not be granted.

However, Mark later approached the Court of Appeal, challenging the Federal High Court’s jurisdiction to hear the matter. On March 12, 2026, the appellate court dismissed his appeal, describing it as incompetent and lacking merit, and ordered that the status quo be maintained while the case continues.

Following that ruling, INEC announced on April 1 that it would no longer recognise either of the contending factions within the ADC led by Mark or Bala, stating it would stay away from their internal activities.

In reaction, the Mark-led faction filed a motion urging the court to compel INEC to restore recognition of its leadership and also sought accelerated hearing of the case.

Mark also filed a preliminary objection challenging the suit, arguing that Bala lacks the legal standing to sue, claiming he had already resigned from his position. He further contended that the matter concerns internal party affairs, which are not subject to court intervention, describing the suit as an abuse of court process.

Similarly, Rauf Aregbesola, ADC National Secretary, urged the court to dismiss the case, insisting that Bala is no longer part of the party’s National Executive Committee and had voluntarily resigned for restructuring purposes, a move he said was duly communicated to INEC. He also sought ₦50 million in costs against the plaintiff.

On his part, party founder Ralph Nwosu argued that the suit is premature, stating that Bala failed to exhaust the party’s internal dispute resolution channels before heading to court.