Federal High Court to rule April 13 on ADC leadership dispute
Justice Musa Suleiman Liman of Federal High Court in Abuja will deliver judgment April 13 in a suit seeking to restrain Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from parading themselves as African Democratic Congress leaders. House of Rep member Leke Abejide filed the suit February 15, 2026, alleging their leadership handover from former chairman Ralph Nwosu on July 2, 2025, was illegal.
Abejide seeks orders nullifying the leadership transfer and restraining INEC from recognizing Mark as national chairman and Aregbesola as national secretary. Defendants argue the case involves non-justiciable party internal affairs, with ADC stating Mark was legitimately elected July 29, 2025, not July 2, 2025. All defendants urge dismissal, claiming the suit lacks merit and is academic.
This judgment could determine ADC's leadership legitimacy, potentially affecting the party's operations and future candidates. The outcome may set precedent for how courts handle internal political party disputes and INEC's recognition of party leadership structures. With judgment just three days away, political watchers await whether the court will intervene in this internal party power struggle.