ADC Heads to Appeal, Insists Mark, Aregbesola Remain Party Leaders Despite Court Ruling

ADC Heads to Appeal, Insists Mark, Aregbesola Remain Party Leaders Despite Court Ruling

 

The battle for the soul of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) escalated yesterday as the party rejected a Federal High Court judgment sacking its Senator David Mark-led leadership, declaring that Mark and former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, remain its recognised leaders pending an appeal.

The ruling, which has thrown fresh uncertainty into the opposition party’s preparations for the 2027 presidential election, also invalidated decisions taken by the Mark-led leadership, including the process that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate.

However, the ADC vowed to challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal, while Atiku accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating a plot to weaken the opposition ahead of the polls.

The decision by Justice Peter Lifu has triggered sharp reactions across the political landscape, with Labour Party’s former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, urging the judiciary to protect democratic competition, while the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) alleged a plot to impose a one-party state.

Conversely, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, welcomed the judgment, describing it as justice well served.

The ruling came barely 24 hours after Atiku held a campaign rally in Sokoto State, where thousands of supporters reportedly turned out to welcome him as he began mobilising for the January 16, 2027 presidential election.

Atiku, whose name had already been published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the ADC presidential candidate, had also selected former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as his running mate.

Court upholds Gombe’s suit

Justice Lifu delivered the judgment in a suit filed by Nafiu Gombe, a former National Deputy Chairman (North-East) of the ADC, who challenged the emergence of the Mark-led leadership.

Gombe argued that following the resignation of former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, he was entitled to assume the party’s leadership.

He consequently asked the court to nullify the Mark-led leadership and restrain Mark and Aregbesola from parading themselves as National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.

Upholding the plaintiff’s claims, the court declared the Mark-led Caretaker Committee illegal and invalidated its actions.

The decision effectively nullified the process through which the committee organised the presidential primary that produced Atiku as the ADC candidate.

The party’s National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, who was joined in the suit as an interested party, confirmed that the ADC would appeal the judgment.

Atiku alleges political conspiracy

Reacting through his Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described the judgment as a calculated attempt to frustrate his presidential ambition and weaken the ADC’s growing political influence.

He questioned the timing of the ruling, particularly its delivery shortly after the Sokoto rally, alleging that it was designed to disrupt the party’s mobilisation and undermine its support base in the North.

Atiku, however, insisted that the development would not derail his ambition, declaring that his campaign was a national movement rather than a regional project.

He also cited an earlier judgment by Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, which he said had addressed the leadership dispute.

Describing the latest proceedings as an attempt to reopen an already determined matter, he said the ADC would challenge the decision at the appellate court.

ADC insists Mark, Aregbesola remain leaders

The ADC Presidential Campaign Council, through its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, maintained that the latest ruling could not automatically override an earlier judgment by a court of coordinate jurisdiction.

It recalled that Justice Liman had examined the leadership dispute and upheld the transfer of leadership from Nwosu to Mark.

According to the council, the July 2, 2025 stakeholders’ meeting preceded the party’s July 29, 2025 National Executive Council meeting, where Mark and Aregbesola emerged as National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively, under the monitoring of INEC.

The council said its legal team was already pursuing appropriate interim reliefs, including a stay of execution where applicable, ahead of an appeal.

It urged party members and supporters to remain calm, insisting that the legal battle would not stop its campaign.

Opposition raises alarm

ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, accused the APC of deploying the judiciary to undermine opposition parties, warning that the dispute concerned Nigerians’ democratic right to choose their leaders.

Similarly, Obi said although he respected the authority of the courts, uncertainty surrounding political parties and candidates close to an election could undermine the electoral process.

CUPP also condemned the ruling, alleging that it formed part of a wider attempt to weaken opposition parties and impose a one-party state.

But Keyamo dismissed allegations of political interference, arguing that the judgment was based on facts and evidence rather than political sentiments.

Meanwhile, NDC senatorial candidate for Kogi East, Chief Peter Ameh, cautioned opposition politicians against celebrating the development, warning that divisions among opposition parties could ultimately benefit the APC.

He urged opposition leaders to recognise that weakening one political platform could create a precedent capable of affecting others.