JUST IN: Court Refuses to Stop Mark, Aregbesola from Assuming ADC Leadership

The Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected an application seeking to prevent Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from assuming leadership positions in the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The ex-parte motion was filed by Nafiu-Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC, but Justice Emeka Nwite dismissed it, ruling that Gombe should serve all defendants with a notice to show cause why the motion should not be granted. The matter has been adjourned to September 15 for the defendants to respond.

Gombe’s lawsuit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, named the ADC, Senator David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Chief Ralph Nwosu as defendants. The plaintiff had sought an interim injunction to prevent INEC from recognizing Mark and Aregbesola as national chairman and national secretary of the party, respectively, and also wanted to restrain them from presenting themselves as party leaders.

This development comes after INEC officially recognized David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as ADC’s national chairman and national secretary. INEC also listed other party officials, including Mani Ibrahim as national treasurer, Akibu Dalhatu as national financial secretary, and Oserheimen Osunbor as national legal adviser.

With the court’s refusal to grant the interim injunction, Mark and Aregbesola are now free to assume their leadership roles in the ADC, while the legal proceedings continue.