Court Summons David Mark Over ADC Leadership Crisis

The Federal High Court in Abuja has summoned the Senator David Mark–led interim leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to appear before it on September 15 over the party’s leadership tussle.

Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order on September 4 after refusing an ex-parte application filed by Nafiu Gombe, a former ADC Deputy National Chairman who is laying claim to the party’s leadership.

Gombe had sought an interim injunction to stop INEC from recognising Mark and his allies as party leaders. The defendants in the suit include the ADC, Mark, former Osun governor Rauf Aregbesola (Interim National Secretary), INEC, and former ADC Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu.

Justice Nwite declined to grant the ex parte relief and instead ordered the defendants to appear in court to show cause why Gombe’s application should not be granted.

The crisis stems from INEC’s recent recognition of the Mark-led National Working Committee, a decision that sparked multiple lawsuits from aggrieved members. Another suit filed by ADC members Adeyemi Emmanuel, Ayodeji Victor Tolu, and Haruna Ismaila challenges the legitimacy of the interim leadership, arguing it violates the party’s constitution and a 2022 judgment by Justice Binta Nyako.

The dispute intensified after former Vice President Atiku Abubakar backed a coalition that adopted ADC as its political platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027. Following this, Chief Nwosu dissolved existing structures to make way for the coalition’s framework.

Meanwhile, ADC has denied reports that the court restrained Mark and Aregbesola. In a statement, its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said Justice Nwite only refused the ex-parte application, directed the defendants to be put on notice, and adjourned to September 15 for hearing.

He accused opponents of spreading fake news to destabilise the party, insisting INEC has officially recognised Mark and Aregbesola as the ADC’s leaders.