The leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) awaits judicial determination as a Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed April 13 for judgment.
Justice Musa Liman fixed the date after counsel to the plaintiff, Ibrahim Idris (SAN), and lawyers representing the defendants adopted their written addresses and presented arguments for and against the suit.
Rep. Leke Abejide, a member of the House of Representatives on the platform of the ADC, filed the case on February 15, 2026, joining the party, Ralph Nwosu, David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants.
In his originating summons, Abejide asked the court to nullify the alleged transfer of leadership from Nwosu to Mark and Aregbesola, describing it as unlawful and void. He also sought a perpetual injunction restraining Mark and Aregbesola from parading themselves as national chairman and national secretary of the party.
He further urged the court to stop INEC from recognising them in those positions, arguing that the process leading to their emergence did not comply with the Electoral Act.
However, counsel to all defendants urged the court to dismiss the suit, arguing that it lacked merit and fell within the internal affairs of a political party, which is not justiciable.
They also contended that Abejide lacked legal standing to institute the case and that the matter discloses no reasonable cause of action.
The defendants maintained that the leadership in question emerged at a National Executive Committee meeting held on July 29, 2025, not July 2, 2025, as claimed by the plaintiff.
They further urged the court to dismiss the suit with substantial costs.
Counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission also asked the court to dismiss the case, relying on a counter-affidavit and supporting exhibits filed in response to the allegations.
Judgment has been reserved for April 13, 2026.
