The Federal High Court in Abuja has declined to grant an application seeking to halt the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under former Senate President David Mark.
Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling delivered on September 4, turned down the three prayers sought in an ex-parte motion filed by Mr. Nafiu-Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC, through his lawyer, Michael Agber.
Instead, the judge ordered Gombe, the plaintiff, to put all the defendants on notice to show cause why the application should not be granted. The matter was adjourned to September 15 for the defendants to respond.
The certified true copy of the ruling was made available to newsmen on Thursday.
While Senator Mark currently serves as the National Chairman of the ADC, former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, is the party’s National Secretary.
The decision of the court runs contrary to some media reports suggesting otherwise.
In the substantive suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, Gombe listed the ADC, Senator Mark, Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Chief Ralph Nwosu as first to fifth defendants, respectively.
In his ex-parte application dated and filed on September 2, Gombe sought an interim order restraining INEC from recognising Mark and Aregbesola as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary. He also prayed the court to stop both men and their supporters from parading themselves in those positions pending the determination of his motion on notice.
