A Federal High Court in Abuja has affirmed the leadership of David Mark as National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Musa Liman dismissed the suit filed by House of Representatives member Leke Abejide, which challenged the emergence of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively, ruling that the case lacked merit.
The court upheld the preliminary objections filed by the ADC, Ralph Nwosu, David Mark, and Aregbesola against the suit.
Justice Liman held that the court lacked jurisdiction to interfere in the internal affairs of the party, describing the matter as non justiciable.
The judge further ruled that Abejide lacked the legal standing to institute the case, noting that he failed to demonstrate how his rights were violated by the emergence of the Mark led leadership.
The court also observed that Abejide did not exhaust the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms before approaching the court.
On the substantive issues, Justice Liman resolved all three questions in favor of the defendants.
Regarding whether Mark and Aregbesola emerged in compliance with relevant laws, the court ruled against Abejide and held that the leadership transition complied with the party’s constitution and applicable electoral laws.
The judge stated that the transfer of leadership from Ralph Nwosu to David Mark did not violate ADC constitutional provisions.
The court also agreed that the July 2, 2025 gathering at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja was a stakeholders’ meeting that preceded the National Executive Council meeting of July 29, 2025, where Mark and Aregbesola formally emerged as party leaders.
According to the judgment, the NEC meeting was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Justice Liman consequently declared that the emergence of Mark and Aregbesola as leaders of the ADC was valid and in accordance with the party’s constitution, the Electoral Act 2026, and the party’s internal regulations.
The court awarded costs of ₦2 million each in favor of all defendants, payable by Abejide.
In addition, the court imposed a ₦10 million fine on Abejide’s counsel in line with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
Abejide had filed the suit seeking to nullify Ralph Nwosu’s transfer of party leadership to Mark and Aregbesola, arguing that the process was unlawful and requesting an injunction to stop both men from presenting themselves as ADC leaders.
The ruling now reinforces the legitimacy of the David Mark led leadership structure within the ADC.
