Federal High Court in Abuja upholds ADC leadership under David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola, dismissing Abejide’s suit and imposing ₦12m costs
In Abuja, Nigeria, on Thursday, 2 July 2026, Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court delivered a decisive judgment affirming the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), confirming former Senate President David Mark as National Chairman and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, while dismissing a suit filed by House of Representatives member Leke Abejide challenging their emergence.
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The Federal High Court, sitting in the nation’s capital, ruled that the ADC leadership court ruling arose from an internal party dispute and was therefore not justiciable, bringing months of political uncertainty within the party to a firm legal conclusion.
Justice Liman held that Abejide failed to establish a breach of his personal rights and did not exhaust internal dispute resolution channels within the party before approaching the court.
The judge added that the court could not intervene in what he described as the internal affairs of a political party governed by its constitution.
The ruling confirmed that the transition which produced David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola complied with the ADC constitution and provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.
The court further noted that the process followed the resignation of former National Chairman Chief Ralph Nwosu, who formally handed over party leadership structures earlier in the transition process.
A key secondary highlight in the proceedings was the court’s reference to party meetings held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja on 2 July 2025, as well as the National Executive Committee meeting of 29 July 2025, which was observed by the Independent National Electoral Commission and ultimately validated the leadership structure.
Justice Liman stated that “the claimant failed to demonstrate any violation of his rights or any illegality in the process leading to the emergence of the current leadership,” stressing that courts must avoid interference in properly constituted party governance.
The judgment also imposed financial penalties, ordering Abejide to pay ₦2 million to each of the defendants and an additional ₦10 million against his counsel, in line with provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.
Reacting to the ruling, a senior party source aligned with the leadership described the decision as “a clear affirmation that due process was followed from start to finish,” adding that the judgment would help stabilise internal structures ahead of future political engagements.
In contrast, Abejide had argued in his originating summons that the leadership transition was unlawful and sought an order restraining both David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from acting as national officers.
He also urged the court to direct the Independent National Electoral Commission not to recognise the new leadership arrangement.
During proceedings, counsel to the defendants maintained that the suit lacked legal foundation, insisting that party leadership matters fall strictly within internal constitutional mechanisms.
Although the court ultimately sided with the defendants, observers note that the case reflects ongoing tensions within Nigeria’s opposition political space as parties continue to redefine leadership structures ahead of future elections.
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The ruling effectively brings legal closure to the dispute, with the court affirming the legitimacy of the current ADC national leadership and reinforcing judicial reluctance to intervene in intra-party affairs.
