The leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has taken a fresh legal turn as former Senate President, David Mark, approached the Federal High Court in Abuja to challenge his derecognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a suit filed before Justice Emeka Nwite, Mark is asking the court to reverse INEC’s decision to remove his name and that of the party’s National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, from its official portal.
Fresh Prayers Before the Court
In the motion on notice filed by his counsel, Sulaiman Usman (SAN), Mark is seeking a series of urgent orders from the court.
Top among the prayers is a mandatory injunction compelling INEC to immediately restore and maintain the names of the ADC National Working Committee (NWC) members as they existed before the dispute.
He is also asking the court to:
-Set aside INEC’s refusal to monitor the party’s congresses and convention
Restrain the electoral body from recognizing any rival leadership within the party and
-Restore the leadership structure pending the final determination of the suit
The legal move follows INEC’s decision on April 1 to remove the names of Mark and Aregbesola from its records, citing compliance with an earlier court directive.
Background to the Crisis
The dispute stems from an earlier suit filed by a party chieftain, Nafiu Bala Gombe, which led to a ruling by the Court of Appeal directing parties to maintain “status quo ante bellum”—a legal term referring to the last uncontested state of affairs before the case began.
However, Mark’s legal team argued that INEC misinterpreted that order by removing the current leadership, thereby creating a vacuum and worsening the internal crisis within the ADC.
According to the lawyer, as of September 2, 2025—when the suit was initially filed—Mark was the recognized National Chairman, and that position should be maintained pending the outcome of the case.
Call for Accelerated Hearing
In a separate motion, Mark is also pushing for an accelerated hearing of the case, urging the court to fast-track proceedings due to the “far-reaching implications” on the party and Nigeria’s democratic process.
The application requests:
Shortened timelines for filing legal processes
Day-to-day hearing of the case until final judgment
The legal team warned that continued uncertainty could encourage parallel leadership structures and destabilize the party’s operations ahead of future political activities.
What This Means for ADC
The ongoing legal battle underscores deep divisions within the ADC and raises concerns about the party’s ability to function effectively as a political opposition force.
With INEC’s stance and competing claims to leadership, the court’s decision on Mark’s prayers could significantly shape the future direction of the party.
This report is based on verified court filings and credible media sources. We remain committed to accurate, balanced, and responsible journalism, ensuring our readers receive factual and trustworthy updates on Nigeria’s political landscape.
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