ADC Leadership: “No Injunction Granted Against Mark, Aregbesola” — Bolaji Abdullahi

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has clarified that no court injunction has been issued to restrain Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from serving as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary.

In a statement on Thursday, ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi addressed claims that the Federal High Court in Abuja had restricted the party’s leadership. Abdullahi explained that Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling on September 4, 2025, refused an ex parte application filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe. The court instead ordered that the defendants be put on notice, appear to show cause why the application should not be granted, and adjourned the matter to September 15, 2025.

“Instead, the Honourable Court refused the ex parte application brought by Nafiu Bala Gombe and directed that the matter proceed with due process,” the statement said. It outlined the four key orders from the ruling: refusal of the application, direction for the plaintiff to notify the defendants, an order for the defendants to appear in court, and adjournment of the case to September 15.

The ADC also criticized opponents of the Mark-led leadership, accusing them of spreading misinformation. “Having failed to stop INEC from acknowledging the leadership change in ADC, the political jobbers are now resorting to fake news,” the party said, adding that these “agents of destabilisation” are attempting to misrepresent court rulings to create confusion and weaken opposition parties.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially recognised Mark and Aregbesola as interim National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively. Other principal officers confirmed by INEC include former Edo governor Oserheimen Osunbor as National Legal Adviser, Ibrahim Mani as National Treasurer, and Akibu Dalhatu as National Financial Secretary.

The opposition coalition formally adopted ADC as its political platform on July 2, 2025, in preparation for the 2027 presidential and other elections. The coalition includes notable figures such as former PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party candidate Peter Obi, former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi. Others present at the unveiling included Senator Dino Melaye, former Minister of Youth and Sports Solomon Dalong, Dele Momodu, Senator Gabriel Suswam, Senator Ireti Kingibe, former House Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, and retired Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.

At the event, Nwosu formally handed over the party membership card to Mark and Aregbesola.

However, not all voices were supportive. ADC’s 2023 presidential candidate Dumebi Kachikwu described members of the opposition coalition as “enemies of Nigeria,” claiming they sought to drag the nation backward. Additionally, Leke Abejide, a lawmaker from Kogi State, expressed doubts on July 4 about the coalition led by Mark achieving success.