Court Upholds David Mark-Led ADC Leadership, Dismisses Abejide’s Suit as Internal Party Matter

A Federal High Court in Abuja has affirmed the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under former Senate President David Mark, ruling that the dispute over the party’s leadership is an internal affair beyond the court’s jurisdiction.

Justice Musa Liman delivered the judgment on Thursday, dismissing a suit filed by House of Representatives member Leke Abejide challenging the emergence of Mark as National Chairman and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary of the ADC.

The court upheld the preliminary objections raised by the ADC, its former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu, Mark and Aregbesola, holding that the matter was non-justiciable because it concerned the internal affairs of a political party.

Justice Liman further held that Abejide lacked the legal standing to institute the action, having failed to demonstrate how his rights had been violated by the emergence of the party’s new leadership.

The judge also faulted the lawmaker for failing to exhaust the ADC’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms before approaching the court.

On the substantive issues, the court ruled that the transfer of the party’s leadership from Nwosu to Mark did not violate the ADC Constitution or any relevant law.

Justice Liman held that the stakeholders’ meeting held on July 2, 2025, was a legitimate precursor to the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of July 29, 2025, during which Mark and Aregbesola emerged as the party’s leaders. He noted that the NEC meeting was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The court consequently declared the emergence of Mark and Aregbesola as valid and in compliance with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act, 2026.

As part of the judgment, Justice Liman awarded costs of ₦2 million each in favour of all the defendants, payable by Abejide. The court also imposed ₦10 million in costs against Abejide’s counsel in accordance with the Electoral Act, 2026.

Abejide had, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, sought to nullify Nwosu’s handover of the party’s leadership to Mark and Aregbesola, arguing that their emergence failed to comply with the Electoral Act and the party’s constitution. He also sought orders restraining both leaders from acting in their respective capacities and preventing INEC from recognising them.

However, Thursday’s ruling effectively affirmed the legitimacy of the David Mark-led leadership, strengthening the ADC’s leadership structure ahead of preparations for the 2027 general elections.