Court Sets April 14for Key Hearing on ADC crisis

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed April 14, 2026, to hear a case challenging the leadership of the African Democratic Congress led by David Mark, following a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe seeking to stop the current leaders from acting as party executives.

The date was set on Friday by Justice Emeka Nwite after all parties involved in the matter were properly notified. The case lists the ADC, Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and Ralph Nwosu as defendants.

The dispute has been ongoing and was earlier put on hold while an appeal was being decided. On March 12, the Court of Appeal directed all sides to return to the lower court and maintain the existing situation until the main case is concluded.

Following that judgment, INEC removed the names of Mark and Aregbesola from its records as national chairman and secretary of the party.

In response to that action, the Mark-led group filed a fresh request on April 7, asking the court to order INEC to restore their names and also requested that the case be heard quickly due to its impact on the party’s operations.

At the same time, Mark and Aregbesola have challenged the suit, asking the court to dismiss it. Mark argued that the person who filed the case does not have the legal right to do so, stating that he had already stepped down from his previous role in the party. He also maintained that the matter concerns internal party issues that should not be decided by the court.

Aregbesola also opposed the suit and asked the court to dismiss it, while seeking damages against the claimant. Nwosu, another defendant, argued that the case was filed too early and that internal party processes were not fully used before taking the matter to court.

The case is expected to address the leadership dispute within the party and determine the status of its current executives as political activities continue ahead of future elections.