The Federal High Court in Abuja has intervened in the growing leadership tussle within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), halting Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola from functioning as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary.
Thursday’s interim injunction restrains both political heavyweights from parading in their claimed roles. It also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognize their appointments or acknowledge the activities of the newly constituted National Working Committee (NWC).
The order came after Nafiu Bala Gombe, who served as the ADC’s Deputy National Chairman, filed a suit contesting the legitimacy of the leadership change. Gombe maintains that he remains the authentic chairman of the party and accused INEC of unlawfully validating the new officers.
The controversy stems from the 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the ADC held in Abuja, where the long-serving National Working Committee led by Chief Ralphs Nwosu was dissolved. David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola were immediately announced as replacements, a decision that was hailed by some as an attempt to inject fresh life into the opposition party.
However, the court’s ruling has disrupted this transition and plunged the ADC into a constitutional impasse. Political observers argue that the situation may weaken the party’s chances of presenting a united front in the build-up to the 2027 elections.
The hearing on the substantive motion is expected to shape the future of the ADC and determine whether Mark and Aregbesola will retain any legitimacy in the party hierarchy.
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