The Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed its judgment in the ongoing leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to April 14, extending uncertainty over the party’s top hierarchy.
The case centers on a legal challenge seeking to prevent Senator David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola from acting as National Chairman and National Secretary of the party respectively.
Although the ruling was initially expected on Monday, Justice Musa Suleiman Liman announced a 24-hour adjournment, citing other pressing judicial engagements as the reason for the delay.
The development drew significant attention as politicians, party officials, and supporters arrived at the court premises as early as 8:00 a.m., anticipating a decisive verdict that could reshape the party’s leadership structure. The courtroom was filled with supporters from both sides of the dispute, creating a tense atmosphere as expectations mounted throughout the morning.
However, proceedings took an unexpected turn when a court registrar formally announced the adjournment. Following the announcement, political stakeholders and party loyalists quietly vacated the premises, marking an abrupt end to what had been expected to be a landmark ruling day.
The legal dispute was initiated by Hon. Leke Abejide, the lawmaker representing Yagba Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. Abejide, through his legal counsel led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Ibrahim Idris, is challenging the legitimacy of the current leadership structure of the ADC.
In suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, the legislator listed the African Democratic Congress, its former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu, Senator David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants in the matter.
Abejide’s primary contention is that the leadership transition conducted last year at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja was procedurally flawed and should be declared invalid. He is urging the court to nullify what he described as an “illegal, unlawful, null and void” transfer of power from Ralph Nwosu to the current leadership duo of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola.
In addition to seeking the nullification of the leadership change, Abejide is also requesting a perpetual injunction restraining Mark and Aregbesola from presenting themselves as national leaders of the party. He further wants the court to prohibit INEC from recognizing them as legitimate party officials.
The plaintiff argues that the disputed transition undermines the internal constitution and democratic processes of the party and should therefore be set aside by the court.
On the opposing side, legal representatives for the defendants, including Senior Advocates Shaibu Aruwa and Realwan Okpanachi, have urged the court to dismiss the case in its entirety. They argue that the matter is strictly an internal party affair and does not fall within the jurisdiction of the court.
The defense further maintains that the leadership transition was validly executed during a National Executive Committee meeting held on July 29, 2025, disputing the timeline and claims presented by the plaintiff.
According to the defense, Abejide lacks the legal standing required to institute the case, describing the suit as an “academic exercise” with no substantive legal basis. They have asked the court to dismiss the action and impose substantial costs against the plaintiff.
With both parties having adopted their final written addresses last Friday, the political future of the ADC leadership now rests on the judgment expected on April 14. The outcome is anticipated to have significant implications for the party’s internal stability and its broader political direction ahead of future electoral contests.
