The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled April 14 for the hearing of a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, seeking to stop the African Democratic Congress (ADC) faction led by David Mark from presenting itself as the legitimate leadership of the party.
The date was fixed by Justice Emeka Nwite after hearing notices were issued to all parties involved in the matter. The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, has become a focal point in the deepening leadership crisis within the ADC.
Gombe listed the ADC, David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Ralph Nwosu as defendants in the suit.
At the previous sitting, Justice Nwite had adjourned the matter indefinitely (sine die) after counsel informed the court of a pending appeal at the Court of Appeal. However, in a judgment delivered on March 12, the appellate court directed all parties to return to the trial court and maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the determination of the substantive case.
Following the appellate ruling, the Independent National Electoral Commission on April 1 removed the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as national chairman and national secretary of the ADC, respectively. The action further escalated tensions between rival factions within the party.
In reaction, the Mark-led faction, through its counsel Sulaiman Usman (SAN), filed a motion on April 7 seeking an order compelling INEC to restore the names of the affected party leaders. The faction also requested an accelerated hearing of the case, citing the urgency and implications of the dispute on party operations.
Additionally, the faction urged the court to dismiss Gombe’s suit outright, arguing that it lacks merit and falls outside the jurisdiction of the court.
In his preliminary objection, David Mark contended that Gombe does not have the legal standing (locus standi) to institute the case, alleging that he had already resigned from his position as deputy national chairman of the party prior to filing the suit.
Mark further argued that the matter concerns the internal affairs of a political party, which he described as non-justiciable. He maintained that the plaintiff failed to disclose a reasonable cause of action and described the suit as an abuse of court process.
Similarly, Rauf Aregbesola challenged the suit in a counter-affidavit deposed to by Anthonia Nwafor of M.E. Sheriff & Co. He argued that Gombe could not “approbate and reprobate,” having allegedly resigned from the party’s National Executive Committee.
Aregbesola stated that Gombe’s resignation had been duly communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission in line with party procedures, and described the case as unmeritorious. He also sought N50 million in costs for defending the suit.
In the same vein, Ralph Nwosu, through his counsel P.I. Oyewole, filed a preliminary objection urging the court to dismiss the case. He argued that the suit was premature, as the plaintiff failed to exhaust internal dispute resolution mechanisms within the party before approaching the court.
The legal battle underscores the deepening factional crisis within the African Democratic Congress, with multiple stakeholders laying claim to the party’s leadership structure.
Observers say the outcome of the April 14 hearing could have significant implications for the party’s future, particularly as it navigates internal divisions ahead of upcoming political activities.
As the case proceeds, attention remains on the Federal High Court, where the competing claims and legal arguments are expected to shape the next phase of the ADC leadership dispute.
