The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking an order compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reinstate David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, was filed after INEC removed their names, along with other members of the party’s National Working Committee, from its official portal on April 1. In a motion dated April 7, counsel to Mark, Sulaiman Usman (SAN), urged the court to issue a mandatory injunction directing the electoral body to restore the affected officials pending the determination of the case.
Filed under Order 26 Rules 1 to 4 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019, the application seeks several reliefs. Among them is an order setting aside INEC’s decision to delist the party’s leadership and its refusal to monitor ADC congresses and conventions. The plaintiff also asked the court to compel INEC to immediately reinstate the leadership structure as it existed before the dispute and to maintain that status throughout the legal proceedings.
Additionally, the ADC is requesting a restraining order preventing INEC from recognising any rival leadership or altering its records until the court reaches a final decision on the matter.
The dispute stems from a March 12 ruling by the Court of Appeal, which arose from a leadership tussle initiated by a former Deputy National Chairman, Nafiu Gombe, at the Federal High Court. According to the applicant, the appellate court directed all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum—the last uncontested leadership arrangement before the crisis began.
Despite the ongoing legal battle, former ADC National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, has insisted that the party will proceed with its planned congresses and national convention. He stated that the leadership crisis would not derail preparations.
Meanwhile, tensions escalated as a faction loyal to Nafiu Gombe staged a counter-protest at INEC headquarters. Civil society groups have also accused the electoral body of bias, while ADC chieftain Kenneth Okonkwo alleged that the ruling party is undermining preparations for the 2027 elections.
