Court Upholds David Mark as ADC National Chairman, Dismisses Abejide’s Suit with Multi-Million Naira Penalties

The Federal High Court in Abuja has affirmed the leadership of the African Democratic Congress under former Senate President David Mark, dismissing a suit filed by House of Representatives member Leke Abejide challenging the party’s leadership structure.

In a judgment delivered on Thursday, Justice Musa Liman held that the case lacked merit and was not justiciable because it concerned the internal affairs of a political party.

The court upheld the preliminary objections raised by the ADC, its former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, incumbent National Chairman David Mark, and National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola.

Justice Liman ruled that Abejide failed to demonstrate that any of his legal rights had been violated by the emergence of the current party leadership.

The judge further held that the lawmaker did not exhaust the internal dispute resolution mechanisms provided by the party before approaching the court.

According to the court, matters relating to the internal administration and leadership of political parties are generally beyond judicial intervention unless there is a clear breach of the law or infringement of a member’s legal rights.

On the substantive issues, the court found that the leadership transition from Ralph Nwosu to David Mark complied fully with both the ADC Constitution and the Electoral Act.

Justice Liman also ruled that the stakeholders’ meeting held on July 2, 2025, and the subsequent National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of July 29, 2025, formed part of the legitimate process that produced David Mark as National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary.

The court noted that the NEC meeting was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission, adding further credibility to the process.

Consequently, the court declared that the emergence of the party’s current leadership complied with all constitutional and legal requirements.

Beyond dismissing the suit, the court imposed significant financial penalties on the plaintiff.

Justice Liman ordered Abejide to pay ₦2 million each to all the defendants as litigation costs.

In addition, the court awarded ₦10 million against Abejide’s counsel in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

Abejide had filed suit FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025 on February 15, seeking to nullify the transfer of the party’s leadership from Ralph Nwosu to David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola.

The lawmaker argued that the leadership transition, including the July 2, 2025 handover ceremony held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, violated the Electoral Act and the party’s constitution.

He also asked the court to restrain David Mark and Aregbesola from functioning in their official capacities and sought an order preventing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising them as the ADC’s National Chairman and National Secretary.

However, the Federal High Court dismissed all the reliefs sought, affirming the legitimacy of the party’s current leadership.

The judgment represents a major legal victory for the African Democratic Congress as it continues efforts to reposition itself ahead of the 2027 general elections.

With the court affirming the legitimacy of David Mark’s leadership, the ruling is expected to strengthen the party’s internal stability and provide a legal foundation for its ongoing political realignment and preparations for future electoral contests.