A Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday upheld the Senator David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Justice Musa Liman dismissed the suit filed by a House of Representatives member, Leke Abejide, challenging Mark’s claim to national chairmanship and Chief Rauf Aregbesola’s selection as national secretary.
The judge, who held that the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025 lacked merit, also upheld the preliminary objections raised against it by the defendants – the ADC, former National Chairman Chief Ralph Nwosu, Mark and Aregbesola.
Abejide, who instituted the suit, had defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) before the judgment.
Hailing the judgment, the opposition party described it as victory for multi-party democracy.
A chieftain, Kenneth Okonkwo, who was named as spokesman by the presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, said on television last night that the case was instituted in bad faith.
He also explained why he accepted the offer, saying that he had been assured that the interest of the Southeast will not be compromised by the ADC.
Judge: Internal affairs can’t be brought to court
Justice Liman held that issues raised in the suit are non-justiciable, adding that the court lacked the jurisdiction to interfere in the internal affairs of ADC.
He also held that Abejide lacked the legal right to institute the case, having failed to show that his rights had been violated in any way as a result of the emergence of the Mark-led leadership.
Justice Liman said Abejide failed to explore the party’s internal mechanism for dispute resolution.
He resolved the three issues in the substantive suit in favour of the defendants.
The judge faulted the plaintiff’s claim that Mark’s and Aregbesola’s emergence as party leaders did not comply with the laws.
He held that the handing over of the party leadership by Nwosu to Mark did not violate the provisions of the party’s constitution.
The judge agreed that the disputed July 2, 2025 meeting of the party was a stakeholder meeting, which preceded the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on July 29, 2025, that produced Mark and Aregbesola as party leaders.
He noted that the meeting was monitored by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Justice Liman declared that the emergence of Mark and Aregbesola as ADC leaders was valid and in accordance with the constitution, the Electoral Act, 2026 and party’s law.
The judge consequently awarded a fine of N2 million each in favour of all the defendants, which shall be paid by Abejide.
He also awarded a N10 million fine against Abejide’s lawyer in compliance with the Electioral Act, 2026.
It is victory for multi-party system, says ADC
ADC described the judgment as a victory for multi-party democracy, adding that it affirmed the party’s affairs as an internal matter.
The National Publicity Secretary,
Bolaji Abdullahi, said in a statement that the court dismissed the plaintiff’s claims on their merits.
He said the judgment reaffirmed its position that Mark’s and Aregbesola’s selection as party leaders complied with the provisions of the law.
Abdullahi described the verdict as a boost for multiparty democracy, adding that it would halt the attempts to destabilise the opposition through the courts.
He said rather than being distracted by legal disputes, the opposition should offer practical alternatives to address the country’s security, economic and social challenges.
The publicity secretary commended the trial judge for his display of courage, stressing that the verdict would discourage frivolous litigation.
Mark: Judgment is a milestone
Mark, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, described the judgment as another milestone in Nigeria’s democratic development.
He said the judgmen vindicated the ADC’s commitment to the rule of law, constitutionalism and multiparty democracy.
Mark added: ‘From the outset, we had maintained that democracy can only thrive when political parties operate without intimidation, undue interference, or attempts to undermine legitimate opposition.
‘Today’s judgment has reaffirmed that no individual or institution is above the law and that the judiciary remains the ultimate guardian of our constitutional order.’
Mark applauded the judiciary for its impartiality and commitment to justice, describing the ruling as ‘a triumph of truth and the democratic aspirations of the Nigerian people.’
He reaffirmed the party’s commitment to purposeful leadership as a credible opposition platform.
Mark said: ‘This is not just a victory for our party; it is a victory for democracy, justice, and every Nigerian who believes in a vibrant political system where ideas compete freely and the will of the people ultimately prevails.’
The national chairman urged party members and supporters to remain united and committed to strengthening democratic governance and building a more inclusive nation through peaceful political engagement.
Okonkwo: why I accepted to be Atiku’s spokesman
Okonkwo, an actor and lawyer, said he accepted to be Atiku’s spokesman because he had been assured that the Southeat’s interest would be protected by ADC.
Okonkwo, who disclosed this in a post on his X account, said his decision followed consultations with the former vice president and other ADC leaders.
He stated: ‘At a dialogue with HE AA and other well-meaning members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the interests of the Southeast have been discussed and guaranteed within the existing challenges posed by the Electoral Act, 2026, and the realities on the ground.’