April 13, (THEWILL) — The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed April 14, 2026, to deliver judgment in a suit challenging the legitimacy of the current leadership structure of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), including the positions allegedly occupied by former Senate President, David Mark, and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola.
The case, filed by a member of the House of Representatives, Leke Abejide, is seeking judicial determination on whether the purported emergence of Mark and Aregbesola as national chairman and national secretary of the ADC is lawful, valid, and compliant with the Electoral Act.
Justice Musa Liman had earlier scheduled judgment for Monday but was unable to deliver the ruling due to an official engagement, prompting the adjournment to April 14.
THEWILL reports that the dispute followed a leadership transition allegedly executed on July 2, 2025, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, where the party’s former national chairman, Ralph Nwosu, was said to have handed over leadership to Mark and Aregbesola in an interim capacity.
Abejide, through his counsel, Ibrahim Idris, SAN, is asking the court to declare the handover illegal, null, and void, arguing that it did not comply with the provisions of Section 82 of the Electoral Act, 2022.
He is also seeking a perpetual injunction restraining Mark and Aregbesola from parading themselves as leaders of the party, insisting that their purported appointment or selection has no legal basis.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, lists the ADC, Ralph Nwosu, Mark, Aregbesola, and INEC as defendants.
However, the defendants have asked the court to dismiss the case, arguing that it lacks merit and falls within the internal affairs of a political party.
They further contended that Abejide has no legal standing (locus standi) to institute the action, insisting that the court lacks jurisdiction to intervene in party leadership decisions.
According to their submissions, the leadership structure being challenged by the plaintiff did not arise from the July 2 event cited in the suit but was instead validated at the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on July 29, 2025.
They also described the suit as academic, speculative, and an attempt to invite the court into political questions best resolved internally within the party.
Counsel to INEC, Anthony Onyeri, aligned with the defendants, urging the court to dismiss the suit. The electoral body confirmed filing a counter-affidavit supported by documentary evidence marked Exhibit INEC-1.
All parties had earlier adopted their written arguments, setting the stage for judgment before the brief adjournment.
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