Court upholds Mark-led leadership of ADC, dismisses Abejide’s suit

The Federal High Court in Abuja has upheld Senator David Mark's leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), dismissing a legal challenge brought by Representative Leke Abejide. Justice Musa Liman ruled that the court does not have the jurisdiction to interfere in the internal matters of political parties, deeming Abejide's suit non-justiciable.

Justice Liman found that Abejide failed to demonstrate how his rights were violated by the emergence of Mark's leadership. The judge also noted that Abejide, a member of the House of Representatives, did not exhaust the party's internal dispute resolution mechanisms before approaching the court. This failure to follow internal party procedures was a key factor in the dismissal of the suit.

The court addressed three main issues in the substantive suit, resolving all in favor of the defendants, including ADC, its former national chairman Chief Ralph Nwosu, Mark, and former Osun Governor Rauf Aregbesola. The judge specifically ruled that the handover of party leadership from Nwosu to Mark complied with the party's constitution. The court also validated the party's National Executive Council meeting on July 29, 2025, which officially produced Mark and Aregbesola as leaders, noting it was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Consequently, the court declared the emergence of Mark and Aregbesola as ADC leaders valid and in accordance with the constitution and the Electoral Act of 2026. Representative Abejide was ordered to pay a fine of N2 million to each of the defendants. Additionally, Abejide's lawyer was fined N10 million in compliance with the Electoral Act.