Court Affirms David Mark-Led ADC Leadership, Dismisses Abejide’s Suit

The Federal High Court in Abuja has affirmed the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under former Senate President David Mark, dismissing a suit that sought to nullify the appointments of Mark and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.

In a judgment delivered on Thursday, Justice Musa Liman held that the suit filed by Leke Abejide, the lawmaker representing Yagba Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, lacked merit and was not justiciable because it bordered on the internal affairs of a political party. The court ruled that it had no jurisdiction to interfere in such matters except where there is a clear breach of the law or violation of a member’s legal rights.

Justice Liman upheld the preliminary objections raised by the ADC, its former National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, David Mark and Aregbesola, effectively dismissing Abejide’s claims.

The judge held that the plaintiff failed to establish that any of his legal rights had been infringed by the emergence of the current party leadership. He also ruled that Abejide did not exhaust the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms before instituting the suit, a requirement under the ADC Constitution and established legal principles governing disputes within political parties.

On the substantive issues, the court ruled that the transition of leadership from Ralph Nwosu to David Mark did not violate either the ADC Constitution or the Electoral Act, 2026.

Justice Liman explained that the July 2, 2025, gathering at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja was merely a stakeholders’ meeting where Nwosu announced his intention to hand over the party’s leadership. According to the court, the formal emergence of David Mark and Aregbesola occurred during the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on July 29, 2025, which was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The court held that the process complied with the party’s constitution and all applicable electoral laws.

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Justice Liman consequently declared that David Mark’s emergence as National Chairman and Aregbesola’s appointment as National Secretary were valid and lawful.

The court also imposed financial penalties on the plaintiff and his counsel. Abejide was ordered to pay ₦2 million in costs to each of the defendants, while his lawyer was directed to pay ₦10 million in costs pursuant to the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.

Abejide had instituted the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, seeking to invalidate the leadership transition within the ADC. He argued that Nwosu’s handover of the party’s leadership to Mark and Aregbesola was unlawful and asked the court to nullify the process.

He also sought perpetual injunctions restraining David Mark and Aregbesola from presenting themselves as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary and asked the court to prevent INEC from recognising them, alleging that their emergence failed to comply with the Electoral Act.

However, Justice Liman rejected all the reliefs sought by the plaintiff and affirmed the legality of the leadership change, leaving the David Mark-led National Working Committee firmly in charge of the party.

The judgment is regarded as a significant legal victory for the ADC leadership as the opposition party continues preparations for the 2027 general elections. It also comes weeks after INEC reinstated David Mark and other members of the party’s National Working Committee on its official portal following a Supreme Court decision that set aside an earlier Court of Appeal order affecting the party’s leadership recognition. Despite Thursday’s ruling, other suits challenging the ADC leadership remain pending before the courts.

Court Affirms David Mark-Led ADC Leadership, Dismisses Abejide’s Suit

2027: Atiku Names Kenneth Okonkwo New Spokesperson

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, has appointed actor-turned-politician and lawyer Kenneth Okonkwo as his official spokesperson, in a move seen as strengthening the party’s communication strategy ahead of the next general election.

Okonkwo announced his appointment in a statement shared on his verified X account on Thursday, expressing gratitude to Atiku for the confidence reposed in him and pledging to discharge the responsibility with wisdom and dedication.

“I give God all the glory for being appointed by His Excellency Atiku Abubakar as his spokesperson. I thank His Excellency for the immense confidence reposed in me,” Okonkwo said.

The former Labour Party presidential campaign spokesperson described the appointment as evidence of Atiku’s leadership style, saying the former vice president prefers dialogue, consultation and compromise whenever disagreements arise within the party.

“Rather than take offence at associates for expressing genuine reservations about any action taken, His Excellency always opts for dialogue and compromise that engender solutions to problems,” he stated.

According to Okonkwo, his concerns over the political interests of the South-East were addressed during discussions with Atiku and other leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

He explained that the consultations provided assurances that the interests of the South-East would be protected within the framework of the Electoral Act, 2026, and the prevailing political realities.

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“At a dialogue with His Excellency and other well-meaning members of the African Democratic Congress, the interests of the South-East were discussed and guaranteed within the existing challenges posed by the Electoral Act, 2026, and the realities on the ground,” he added.

Okonkwo also acknowledged the contributions of Dr. Kashim Imam, former ADC National Chairman Ralphs Nwosu, and Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, Dr. Ekene Onwuka, for their roles in promoting reconciliation and strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 general election.

He further thanked his family, supporters and friends for their encouragement and prayers.

“I still covet your prayers for wisdom, courage, provision and protection needed to carry out this challenging responsibility, which will usher in a glorious and great Nigeria,” he said.

The appointment comes weeks after Okonkwo openly criticised the ADC’s vice-presidential selection process.

He had argued that choosing a running mate from the South-South would further deepen what he described as the political marginalisation of the South-East, the only geopolitical zone yet to produce either a President or Vice President since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.

Despite his reservations, the ADC later announced former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi as Atiku’s running mate after the former vice president secured the party’s presidential ticket.

Okonkwo’s acceptance of the spokesperson role suggests that consultations within the party have helped bridge earlier differences over the composition of the presidential ticket.

A lawyer, actor and seasoned political communicator, Okonkwo previously served as a spokesperson for the Labour Party presidential campaign and has remained an influential voice in Nigeria’s opposition politics. His appointment is expected to bolster Atiku’s public engagement and media outreach as preparations for the 2027 presidential election gather momentum.

2027: Atiku Names Kenneth Okonkwo New Spokesperson

Court Takes Over Taraba APC Reps Primary Dispute

A fresh legal battle has erupted within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State as the contest for the party’s ticket for the Takum/Donga/Ussa/Yangtu Federal Constituency shifts from the ballot box to the courtroom, with one aspirant seeking to overturn the outcome of the primary election.

Hon. Audu Israel Tseaga has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, asking the court to nullify the APC primary conducted for the constituency, alleging that the exercise was marred by serious irregularities.

In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1128/2026, Tseaga named the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the APC and Rt. Hon. Mark Bako Useni as defendants.

At the proceedings, Justice Inyang Ekwo granted leave for the originating processes to be served on Rt. Hon. Mark Bako Useni and subsequently adjourned the matter for the hearing of the Motion on Notice.

Tseaga is urging the court to invalidate the primary election and declare that he is the rightful candidate of the APC for the Takum/Donga/Ussa/Yangtu Federal Constituency in the 2027 general election.

The lawsuit marks the beginning of what is expected to be a fierce legal contest over the party’s ticket, with the outcome likely to shape the APC’s fortunes in one of Taraba State’s key federal constituencies.