By Samuel John
ABUJA- The Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Senator David Mark-led interim leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to appear on September 15 to show cause why the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should not be restrained from recognising them.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order after refusing an ex-parte motion filed by former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is laying claim to the chairmanship. Gombe had sought to bar Senator Mark and his team from parading themselves as party leaders pending the determination of his suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025.
Instead of granting the interim injunction, Justice Nwite directed that the defendants—including the ADC, Senator Mark, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, INEC, and former National Chairman Chief Ralph Nwosu—be placed on notice.
“The defendants are hereby ordered to show cause why the application should not be granted. The case is adjourned to September 15, 2025,” the judge ruled.
INEC recently updated its records to reflect Senator Mark’s National Working Committee (NWC), a development that has sparked fresh legal challenges. Three other party members—Adeyemi Emmanuel, Ayodeji Victor Tolu, and Haruna Ismaila—have also filed a suit questioning the legality of Mark’s appointment and that of other interim officers, including Aregbesola (Interim National Secretary) and Bolaji Abdullahi (Interim National Publicity Secretary).
The plaintiffs argue that the appointments violate the ADC Constitution and a subsisting judgment, contending that interim positions are unknown to the party’s framework and that leadership changes can only occur through a national convention or NEC decision.
The crisis stems from ADC’s recent adoption as a coalition platform for the 2027 presidential election, led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s allies, after Nwosu announced the collapse of existing party structures in favour of a new leadership.
© 2025, Standard Focus. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from STANDARD FOCUS.