Court takes action on ADC national chairman, secretary
The Federal High Court in Abuja has barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing David Mark and former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as interim national chairman and national secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The order was issued on September 11, 2025, following a motion ex parte filed on September 2 by Nafiu Gombe.
In the case, the ADC, Mark, and Aregbesola were listed as the first three defendants, while INEC and the party’s former national chairman, Ralph Nwosu, were joined as additional defendants.
Justice Emeka Nwite, who granted the interim injunction, directed INEC not to recognize Mark, Aregbesola, or their representatives until the motion on notice already before the court is heard.
This ruling comes after INEC had earlier updated its website, listing Mark and Aregbesola as part of the newly recognised leadership of the ADC.
Other officers included former Edo governor Oserheimen Osunbor as National Legal Adviser, Ibrahim Mani as National Treasurer, and Akibu Dalhatu as National Financial Secretary.
Mark and Aregbesola had been presented as interim leaders of the ADC on July 2, 2025, when the opposition coalition adopted the party as its platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The coalition, which brought together prominent political figures such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rotimi Amaechi, declared that it aimed to reposition the country and strengthen democratic governance.
However, the development sparked division within the party, with some stakeholders rejecting the coalition’s move and predicting that the alliance would not succeed.
The court’s decision now puts the status of the ADC leadership in question as the matter awaits further hearing.
