The Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected an application seeking to halt the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola, pending the hearing of the substantive suit.
Justice Emeka Nwite declined to grant the three interim orders requested in an ex parte motion filed by Nafiu-Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the party.
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The motion, argued by Gombe’s lawyer, Michael Agber, sought to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising Mark and Aregbesola as the national chairman and secretary of the ADC, and to prevent both men from parading themselves as such or being officially engaged by INEC.
Rather than grant the relief, the judge directed Gombe to serve notice on all the defendants, requiring them to appear and show cause why the motion should not be granted.
The matter was adjourned to September 15 for further proceedings.
Although the ruling was delivered on September 4, the certified true copy of the court order was made available to journalists on Thursday.
David Mark, a former Senate President, is the current national chairman of the ADC, while Rauf Aregbesola, a former Osun State Governor, serves as the party’s national secretary.
The court’s decision contradicts some media reports that had claimed the Mark-led leadership had been restrained.
In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, Gombe named the ADC, Senator David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, INEC, and Chief Ralph Nwosu as the first to fifth defendants.
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The court has withheld any interim injunction and instead opted to hear from all parties before deciding on the substantive issues.
