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By Lawrence Agbo
The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed April 14 for the hearing of a suit challenging the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola.
The suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025 was filed by Nafiu-Bala Gombe, who is seeking to stop the Mark-led faction from presenting itself as the party’s leadership.
Justice Emeka Nwite scheduled the hearing after issuing notices to all parties involved, following earlier delays due to a pending appeal at the Court of Appeal.
The appellate court, in a March 12 ruling, directed all parties to return to the trial court and maintain the status quo ante bellum pending determination of the substantive suit.
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Following that judgment, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) removed the names of Mark and Aregbesola from its website as ADC national chairman and secretary.
In response, the Mark-led faction filed a motion asking the court to compel INEC to restore the names and to grant an accelerated hearing of the case, while also seeking dismissal of the suit for lack of jurisdiction.
Mark, in his objection, argued that Gombe lacks the legal standing to institute the suit, claiming he had resigned his position within the party. He further maintained that the matter concerns internal party affairs and is therefore not justiciable.
Similarly, Aregbesola urged the court to dismiss the case, describing it as unmeritorious and seeking N50 million in costs.
Also, former ADC national chairman, Ralph Nwosu, asked the court to strike out the suit, arguing that internal dispute resolution mechanisms within the party had not been exhausted.
