The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday affirmed Senator David Mark as the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Court’s Rationale
Justice Liman upheld the preliminary objections filed by the ADC, Ralph Nwosu, Mark and Aregbesola, holding that the suit lacked merit and that the court lacked jurisdiction to interfere in the party’s internal affairs.
The judge noted that Abejide failed to show that his rights were violated by the emergence of the Mark‑led leadership, and that the handover of party leadership from Nwosu to Mark did not violate the ADC constitution.
He highlighted that the July 2, 2025 stakeholders’ meeting preceded the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on July 29, 2025, which produced Mark and Aregbesola, declaring their emergence valid under the party’s constitution, the Electoral Act and applicable laws.
Consequently, the court awarded ₦2 million each in favour of all the defendants, to be paid by Abejide, and ₦10 million against Abejide’s lawyer in compliance with the Electoral Act.
Abejide had asked the court to nullify the handover of ADC leadership to Mark and Aregbesola and to restrain INEC from recognising them; the court dismissed the request.
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