The battle over the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has deepened despite recognition of Senator David Mark, Engr. Rauf Aregbesola, and others by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has directed the Senator Mark-led interim leadership to appear on September 15, 2025, to show cause why INEC should not be restrained from recognising them as the party’s national leaders.
The controversy began after INEC formally acknowledged the Mark-led team, following delays caused by the absence of specimen signatures. Senator Mark was appointed interim chairman in June, while Aregbesola was named interim national secretary, succeeding the party’s founding chairman, Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu. The leadership changes were part of a broader realignment within the opposition to form a coalition strong enough to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027, with support from key figures like Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Nasir el-Rufai, and Aminu Tambuwal.
However, the transition has faced stiff opposition. Dumebi Kachikwu, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, condemned the appointments as illegal and divisive, while Nafiu Bala, a former governorship candidate, declared himself interim chairman and accused the new leadership of hijacking the party. The dispute has since moved to the courts, with three aggrieved members—Adeyemi Emmanuel, Ayodeji Tolu, and Haruna Ismaila—challenging the legality of Mark’s appointment.
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court refused an ex-parte application that sought to restrain the Mark-led leadership from parading themselves as ADC executives. Instead, he ordered that the defendants, including INEC and former chairman Ralph Nwosu, be put on notice and appear on September 15 to respond to the claims. The plaintiffs are seeking to nullify the leadership handover, arguing that it violated an existing judgment.
Meanwhile, the ADC leadership has dismissed reports that the court removed Senator Mark and Aregbesola from their positions. In a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described such claims as politically motivated misinformation. The statement stressed that no restraining order was issued against the current leaders and accused political opponents of attempting to destabilise the party through false narratives.
While Kachikwu hailed the court’s directive as a welcome development, the ADC insists that the Mark-led team remains in charge. The matter is now set for a decisive hearing on September 15, where the court will determine whether the interim leadership can continue to be recognised by INEC.
