The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is facing legal issues over its national leadership and party congresses as it prepares for the 2027 elections.
Some court rulings have supported the leadership led by former Senate President David Mark. But another ruling has put limits on how the party conducts its congresses. A case by Nafiu-Bala Gombe was set for judgment on 5 October.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) currently recognizes Mr Mark as the ADC national chairman and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary.
This listing, checked on 11 October, shows INEC's position but does not settle the ongoing legal disputes.
Bala’s Leadership Challenge
Mr Bala is questioning how the Mark-led leadership was formed, claiming he has the right to be the party’s chairman.
On 5 October, BusinessDay reported that Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja postponed the judgment in the case, FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, after lawyers presented their final written addresses.
The judge said the date for the judgment would be communicated to the parties involved. PREMIUM TIMES could not confirm if a date has been set.
The disagreement also involves an alleged resignation by Mr Bala. In a letter dated 21 July 2025, the ADC told INEC that Mr Bala resigned on 17 May and that the party accepted his resignation.
The letter mentioned an attached resignation document, but that document could not be found for review. This makes it hard to confirm if Mr Bala actually resigned, as the evidence was missing.
What the Supreme Court Decided
On 30 April, the Supreme Court overturned a Court of Appeal order that told both parties to keep the status quo in the leadership argument.
Channels Television reported that the Supreme Court sent the case back to the Federal High Court for quick resolution. This ruling focused on how the case is handled, not on Mr Bala’s claim to the chairmanship.
The Mark-led ADC welcomed the judgment as a sign of support for its leadership, even though it did not settle the main dispute.
The Separate Abejide Case
Another challenge came from House of Representatives member Leke Abejide, which led to a ruling that favored the Mark-led leadership on 2 July.
PREMIUM TIMES reported that Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court in Abuja looked at issues of jurisdiction and internal party processes, along with support for the leadership change.
The ADC called the decision a dismissal of the case and noted it included directions about INEC recognizing its leadership.
The full judgment and order were not available during the review, leaving the details of the ruling unclear. This decision did not resolve Mr Bala’s separate case.
The Congress Ruling
The ADC faced another setback regarding the tenure of elected state executives and who can hold replacement congresses.
On 13 July, the Court of Appeal upheld, by a 2, 1 margin, restrictions on INEC recognizing state congresses organized by the Mark-led caretaker leadership. This ruling followed a Federal High Court decision about the rights of current state executives and how congresses are conducted.
Reports about the appellate judgment also mentioned limits on interference with state executives and questions about a national convention. The full judgments and orders are needed to clarify which party structures and activities were impacted.
The reported ruling does not mean that every ADC candidate’s nomination is invalid.
Did ADC Appeal the Congress Judgment?
After the 13 July ruling, the ADC said it would challenge the decision in the Supreme Court.
The party's National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, stated that the judgment did not affect the party’s direct primaries. But the review did not find a filed appeal notice, an appeal number, or an order staying the judgment.
It is still unclear if the appeal has been filed, scheduled, or heard, or if any stay has been granted.
What Remains Unresolved?
Two main questions are key to the ADC’s legal situation: whether the Federal High Court has set or delivered judgment in Mr Bala’s case, and whether an appeal or stay has changed the impact of the July congress ruling.
The ADC and Mr Bala’s lawyers were contacted for more information but had not replied before this report was filed. INEC’s records show the Mark-led leadership, but the main questions are about Mr Bala’s suit and the influence of the congress ruling. Whether these disputes affect specific nominations will depend on court orders, electoral law, and the details of those nominations.
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