Court rejects bid to stop Mark, Aregbesola from leading ADC

The Federal High Court in Abuja has refused to grant an application seeking to restrain former Senate President David Mark and ex-Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola from assuming leadership positions in the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling delivered on September 4, dismissed the ex-parte motion filed by Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC. The application, argued by Gombe’s counsel, Michael Agber, sought three interim injunctions against Mark and Aregbesola’s recognition as National Chairman and National Secretary of the party.

Instead of granting the prayers, the court directed Gombe, the plaintiff, to place all the defendants on notice to enable them to show cause why the reliefs should not be granted. The matter was adjourned until September 15 for further hearing.

The defendants in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025 include the ADC, Senator Mark, Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Chief Ralph Nwosu.

Gombe had specifically sought an interim order restraining INEC from recognising Mark and Aregbesola as ADC’s national leaders and preventing them from parading themselves as such until the motion on notice is determined.

However, Justice Nwite declined the requests, making it clear that the defendants must first be heard before any decision is taken on the substantive application.

The certified true copy of the order, obtained on Thursday, also clarified that contrary to reports in some sections of the media, the court did not bar Mark and Aregbesola from functioning as ADC leaders.