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From Ndubuisi Orji and Godwin Tsa, Abuja
African Democratic Congress (ADC) and he former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, has commended the judiciary over the ruling of the Federal High Court on the leadership tussle in the opposition party.
A Federal High Court, Abuja, had in a ruling yesterday, struck out a suit filed by a member of the House of Representatives, Leke Abejide, that sought to nullify Mark’s emergence as national chairman of the ADC.
Justice Musa Liman ruled that the suit lacked merit and upheld preliminary objections filed by the ADC, Chief Ralph Nwosu, Mark, and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola challenging Abejide’s case.
The court held it lacked jurisdiction to intervene in the internal affairs of the ADC, describing the suit as non-justiciable.
Justice Liman further found that Abejide had no locus standi to institute the suit, having failed to demonstrate that his rights were violated by Mark’s emergence as party leader.
The judge also noted that Abejide, a member of the House of Representatives, had not exhausted the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms before approaching the court.
Ruling on the substantive suit, Justice Liman resolved all three contested issues in favour of the defendants.
He held that Nwosu’s handover of the ADC leadership to Mark did not breach the party’s constitution, and that the disputed July 2, 2025 meeting was a stakeholders’ gathering that preceded the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of July 29, 2025 the meeting that formally produced Mark and Aregbesola as national chairman and national secretary, and which was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The court declared the emergence of Mark and Aregbesola valid and in compliance with the party’s constitution, the Electoral Act, and ADC’s internal rules.
Justice Liman ordered Abejide to pay N2 million in fines to each of the defendants, and imposed a separate N10 million fine on Abejide’s lawyer.
Abejide had filed the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025 on February 15, naming the ADC, Nwosu, Mark, Aregbesola, and INEC as 1st to 5th defendants. Nwosu is the former ADC national chairman who stepped down in favour of Mark.
Among eight reliefs sought, Abejide asked the court to nullify Nwosu’s July 2, 2025 handover of party leadership to Mark and Aregbesola at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, as unlawful and void.
He also sought perpetual injunctions restraining Mark and Aregbesola from parading themselves as ADC leaders and barring INEC from recognising them, alleging their emergence failed to meet the requirements of Section 82 of the Electoral Act.
Another victory for Nigeria’s multiparty democracy
ADC, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, described the judgment as another affirmation of its constitutionally recognised leadership.
It said the judgment reaffirmed its position that leadership disputes remained internal party affairs and were therefore non-justiciable under provisions of the Electoral Act.
According to the party, the emergence of its current leadership, headed by David Mark, complied fully with the ADC Constitution and applicable Nigerian laws. “This judgment affirms our clear position that the issue of leadership remains an internal affair of the party and is therefore not justiciable.”
The party also described the ruling as another victory for Nigeria’s multiparty democracy, expressing hope that it would end unnecessary distractions and attempts to destabilise the opposition politically.
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It said that worsening insecurity, rising living costs, unemployment, and declining economic opportunities required practical opposition alternatives instead of prolonged distractions through avoidable legal challenges.
The party said it remained vigilant in spite of the court victory, insisting that anti-democratic forces were still pursuing actions capable of undermining democratic governance and opposition politics.
It commended the presiding judge for upholding justice and awarding costs against the plaintiff and lawyers, stressing that the decision would discourage frivolous litigation in the future.
The party further thanked members, supporters and Nigerians for their steadfast support, urging them to remain united, focused and confident as it advanced democratic ideals.
Victory not merely for ADC
Reacting, Atiku, ADC presidential candidate, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said the judiciary has once again demonstrated courage, independence and fidelity to the Constitution in the face of alleged attempts by desperate political actors to weaponise the courts against the opposition.
While describing the decision as a victory not merely for the party but for constitutional democracy and the rule of law, Atiku noted that the court’s decision has reaffirmed “the settled legal principle that political parties are governed by their constitutions and that internal disputes must first be resolved through the mechanisms provided therein.
“The court could not have been clearer. It rightly held that the matter borders on the internal affairs of the ADC, that the Federal High Court lacks jurisdiction, and that the plaintiffs neither exhausted the internal remedies provided by the party’s constitution nor established the locus standi required to invoke the jurisdiction of the court.
“We commend Justice Liman for refusing to allow the judiciary to be converted into an extension of partisan political warfare. There is an African proverb which says that ‘no matter how long the night lasts, the day must surely break.’ Today’s ruling is another reminder that while political desperation may cast temporary shadows over our democracy, truth and justice will ultimately prevail.
“We are particularly encouraged because this judgment comes at a time when certain desperate elements operating from the corridors of power have sought, through every conceivable means, to destabilise the opposition and frustrate the growing aspirations of millions of Nigerians who desire democratic change.
“From failed attempts to deregister political parties, to the sponsorship of proxy litigations, to the manipulation of institutions, Nigerians have witnessed an orchestrated campaign to weaken opposition politics. Today’s decision is a resounding affirmation that the judiciary remains the last hope of the common man and cannot be intimidated into legitimising political mischief.
“As the Yoruba wisely say, ‘The fowl that crows at dawn does not make the sun rise.’ Those who imagined that endless litigations could manufacture legitimacy or extinguish the resolve of the ADC have once again been reminded that justice cannot be procured through political intimidation.
“The David Mark-led National Working Committee emerged through a lawful and transparent process in accordance with the constitution of our great party. No amount of forum shopping or judicial adventurism can alter that fact.”
Atiku urged ADC members to remain focused on the larger task of rescuing Nigeria from the unprecedented economic hardship, insecurity, and institutional decay inflicted upon the country by the President Bola Tinubu administration.
“This victory is not an invitation to triumphalism. Rather, it is a renewed call for all democrats to continue strengthening our institutions and protecting the sanctity of the rule of law.
“As Chinua Achebe aptly observed, ‘One of the truest tests of integrity is its blunt refusal to be compromised.’ Today’s decision reflects that enduring principle.
“We congratulate the leadership of our great party under Distinguished Senator David Mark and reassure Nigerians that the ADC remains united, focused, and determined to offer the credible alternative that our nation urgently needs.
“The journey to reclaim Nigeria continues, and no amount of political intimidation, sponsored litigation, or abuse of state power will derail the democratic aspirations of the Nigerian people,” he stated.
