Abuja, Nigeria – April 10, 2026 – CoolNews Nigeria
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed April 13, 2026 for judgment in a politically sensitive suit challenging the leadership structure of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The case, presided over by Justice Musa Suleiman Liman, borders on the legality of the emergence of former Senate President and former Osun State Governor as National Chairman and National Secretary of the party respectively.
The suit was instituted by a member of the House of Representatives and ADC chieftain, Leke Abejide, who is asking the court to invalidate what he describes as an unlawful transfer of leadership within the party. Abejide is specifically seeking a declaration nullifying the alleged handover of the party’s national leadership by former ADC National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, to Mark and Aregbesola. He is also praying the court to stop both men from continuing to present themselves as leaders of the party.
In the originating summons marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, the lawmaker is asking the court to declare the leadership transition that reportedly took place on July 2, 2025, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja as illegal, unconstitutional, and null and void. He is also seeking a perpetual injunction restraining the duo from holding themselves out as national officers of the ADC.
In addition, Abejide is urging the court to direct the Independent National Electoral Commission () not to recognise Mark and Aregbesola as legitimate party executives.
Counsel to the defendants—including the ADC, Ralph Nwosu, David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, and INEC—urged the court to dismiss the suit in its entirety. They argued that the dispute relates strictly to the internal affairs of a political party, which they described as non-justiciable and outside the jurisdiction of the court. The defence further told the court that the leadership change being challenged by the plaintiff did not occur on July 2, 2025, as alleged, but rather emerged from a National Executive Committee meeting held on July 29, 2025. They also contended that the suit is purely academic and that the claimant lacks the legal standing (locus standi) to institute the action.
Justice Liman is expected to first resolve the preliminary objections raised by the defence, particularly issues relating to jurisdiction and competence of the suit, before considering the substantive claims. The judgment scheduled for April 13 is expected to determine whether the court can interfere in the internal leadership arrangement of the ADC or whether the matter should be left as a party affair.
The case has continued to draw attention within Nigeria’s political space, given the prominence of the individuals involved and the potential implications for the leadership structure of the opposition party. Observers say the ruling could significantly shape the internal dynamics of the ADC ahead of future political alignments.
Stay with CoolNews Nigeria for verified updates on this developing political and legal story.
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