The Federal High Court in Abuja has affirmed the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under former Senate President David Mark, dismissing a suit challenging the party’s new leadership and giving a major boost to the opposition coalition preparing for the 2027 general election.
The ruling, delivered on Thursday by Justice Musa Liman, was welcomed by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who described it as a victory for constitutional democracy and the rule of law. He also reaffirmed his determination to continue his political campaign ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The judgment comes at a crucial time for the ADC, which has emerged as the platform for a broad opposition coalition seeking to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next general election.
Justice Liman dismissed the suit filed by House of Representatives member Leke Abejide, holding that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction because the matter concerned the internal affairs of a political party.
According to the judge, disputes relating to a political party’s internal administration are generally not matters for the court unless exceptional circumstances exist.
The court also ruled that Abejide lacked the legal standing, known as *locus standi*, to institute the case because he failed to show how his personal rights had been violated by the emergence of the current ADC leadership.
Justice Liman further held that the lawmaker did not first exhaust the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms before approaching the court, making the suit premature.
Beyond dismissing the case on jurisdictional grounds, the judge also addressed the substantive issues raised by the plaintiff and resolved them in favour of the defendants.
The court held that the transfer of leadership from the party’s former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, to the new leadership did not violate the ADC constitution.
Justice Liman noted that the stakeholders’ meeting held on July 2, 2025, where Nwosu handed over the leadership of the party, came before the National Executive Committee meeting of July 29, 2025. At that meeting, David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola were formally confirmed as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary respectively under the supervision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to the judgment, the process complied with both the ADC constitution and the Electoral Act 2026.
The court therefore upheld the legitimacy of the current National Working Committee and dismissed all the reliefs sought by Abejide.
Justice Liman also awarded costs of N2 million each in favour of the defendants against the plaintiff. In addition, the court ordered Abejide’s counsel to pay N10 million as costs in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
Abejide had filed the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, on February 15, asking the court to nullify the July 2, 2025, transfer of leadership within the ADC.
He argued that the emergence of Mark and Aregbesola did not comply with the party’s constitution or the Electoral Act.
Among other requests, the lawmaker sought an order restraining Mark and Aregbesola from presenting themselves as National Chairman and National Secretary of the party and also asked the court to stop INEC from recognising them as ADC leaders.
However, the court rejected all his claims.
Reacting to the judgment, Atiku Abubakar praised the court for what he described as its firm commitment to legal principles.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former vice-president said the ruling reinforced confidence in the judiciary.
“The court could not have been clearer. It rightly held that the matter borders on the internal affairs of the ADC, that the Federal High Court lacks jurisdiction, and that the plaintiffs neither exhausted the internal remedies provided by the party’s constitution nor established the *locus standi* required to invoke the jurisdiction of the court,” the statement said.
“We commend Justice Liman for refusing to allow the judiciary to be converted into an extension of partisan political warfare.”
Atiku described the judgment as a significant victory for democracy, especially at a time when, according to him, opposition parties are facing increasing political pressure.
He alleged that some unnamed individuals in government were making efforts to weaken opposition parties through court cases and institutional interference.
According to him, the judgment demonstrated that the judiciary remains committed to protecting democratic principles.
“We are particularly encouraged because this judgment comes at a time when certain desperate elements operating from the corridors of power have sought, through every conceivable means, to destabilise the opposition and frustrate the growing aspirations of millions of Nigerians who desire democratic change,” Atiku said.
The former vice-president also defended the legitimacy of the current ADC leadership, insisting that the National Working Committee headed by David Mark emerged through a lawful and transparent process.
“The David Mark-led National Working Committee emerged through a lawful and transparent process in accordance with the constitution of our great party. No amount of forum shopping or judicial adventurism can alter that fact,” he stated.
He called on party members across the country to remain united and focused on building a strong opposition capable of providing Nigerians with an alternative political platform ahead of the 2027 elections.
The court’s decision is expected to strengthen the position of the ADC as it continues efforts to unite opposition politicians under one umbrella.
The party has in recent months attracted several prominent political figures, including former governors, lawmakers and former ministers, following its adoption as the coalition platform for politicians seeking to challenge the APC in 2027.
The emergence of David Mark as National Chairman and Aregbesola as National Secretary was widely seen as part of the party’s restructuring aimed at repositioning it ahead of the next general election.
However, the changes also sparked a series of legal challenges from some party members who questioned the legality of the leadership transition.
Thursday’s judgment is one of the most significant court victories recorded by the party since the restructuring began.
Although more political and legal battles may lie ahead as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum, the judgment has provided the Mark-led leadership with judicial backing and may help consolidate the ADC’s position as one of the leading opposition platforms in the country.