The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned until September 28 a suit seeking to stop former Senate President David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola and other members of the interim leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) from parading themselves as leaders of the party.
The suit was filed by Nafiu-Bala Gombe, an aggrieved member of the ADC and former deputy national chairman of the party. He is challenging the legality of the current leadership structure led by Mark, with Aregbesola serving as national secretary.
The case, which was scheduled for the hearing of pending applications on Monday, could not proceed because the presiding judge, Justice Peter Lifu, did not sit. The court subsequently fixed September 28 for the matter to continue.
The latest adjournment further delays a legal battle that could have implications for the opposition party as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections. The outcome of the case may help determine the legal standing of the party’s leadership and could affect its internal administration and political activities.
The dispute is one of several legal challenges that have surrounded the ADC leadership since Mark and Aregbesola emerged at the head of the party’s interim structure. Previous proceedings have involved questions over the authority of the party’s leadership and the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in recognising party structures.
The leadership controversy has attracted considerable attention because the ADC has positioned itself as a major opposition platform ahead of the 2027 elections. Any prolonged internal dispute could create uncertainty for members and supporters while political parties prepare for the next electoral cycle.
The court is now expected to hear the pending applications on September 28. Until then, the legal challenge remains unresolved, leaving the leadership dispute before the court.
The case adds to the wider political and legal developments surrounding the ADC as it seeks to consolidate its structure and prepare for the 2027 elections.
