The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an interim order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as interim national chairman and national secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The order, granted by Justice Emeka Nwite, follows a motion ex parte filed by Nafiu Gombe on September 2, 2025.
The court’s ruling also bars INEC from recognising the representatives of Mark and Aregbesola until the hearing of a motion on notice already filed in the matter.
This development has sparked controversy within the party, with some members questioning the legitimacy of Mark and Aregbesola’s leadership.
Despite the court’s order, INEC had earlier recognised Mark and Aregbesola as the interim leaders of the ADC on its website.
Other principal officers recognised by INEC include former Edo governor Oserheimen Osunbor as national legal adviser, Ibrahim Mani as national treasurer, and Akibu Dalhatu as national financial secretary.
The ADC has been adopted as the platform for a newly formed opposition coalition, which aims to contest the 2027 elections. Prominent members of the coalition include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, ex-Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Rivers governor Rotimi Amaechi.
However, in a surprising twist, a full copy of the court order revealed that the court actually refused the application, but ordered Mark, Aregbesola, INEC, and ADC founder Ralph Nwosu to appear before the court to show cause why the application should not be granted.
