The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is embroiled in separate legal battles over its national leadership and party congresses as the 2027 general elections approach. The party's leadership, headed by former Senate President David Mark, has received some favourable court rulings, while another decision has restricted aspects of its congress arrangements. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) currently lists Mark as ADC national chairman and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary.
A leadership challenge brought by Nafiu-Bala Gombe against Mark's leadership is awaiting judgment. Bala claims authority to act as the party's chairman, challenging the process through which Mark emerged. On 5 October, Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja reserved judgment in the suit, FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, after counsel adopted their final written addresses. The dispute also involves Bala's alleged resignation on 17 May, which the ADC informed INEC about on 21 July.
The Supreme Court intervened in the leadership dispute on 30 April, setting aside a Court of Appeal directive that required the parties to maintain the status quo. The Supreme Court returned the case to the Federal High Court for expeditious determination, but the ruling did not determine the substantive dispute over the party leadership. The Mark-led ADC welcomed the judgment as an affirmation of its leadership.
Another challenge, brought by House of Representatives member Leke Abejide, resulted in a ruling favourable to the Mark-led leadership on 2 July. Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court in Abuja considered questions of jurisdiction, standing, and internal party remedies, alongside observations supporting the leadership transition. The ADC described the decision as a striking out of the case and said it included directions concerning INEC's recognition of its leadership.
However, the ADC suffered a setback in litigation concerning the tenure of elected state executives and the authority to organise replacement congresses. On 13 July, the Court of Appeal upheld restrictions on INEC recognising state congresses conducted through committees appointed by the Mark-led caretaker leadership. The ruling followed a Federal High Court decision concerning the rights of existing state executives and the conduct of congresses.
The ADC announced plans to challenge the 13 July decision at the Supreme Court, with National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi stating that the judgment did not affect the party's direct primaries. However, it remains unclear whether the appeal has been filed, listed, or heard, or whether any stay has been granted. The party's leadership status and congress arrangements remain unresolved.
Two key questions remain central to the ADC's legal position: whether the Federal High Court has fixed or delivered judgment in Bala's case, and whether a further appeal or stay has altered the effect of the July congress ruling. INEC's published records identify the Mark-led leadership, but the outstanding questions concern the status of Bala's suit and the effect of the congress ruling.
Key points
- The African Democratic Congress faces separate legal challenges over its national leadership and party congresses.
- Court decisions have favoured the leadership headed by former Senate President David Mark, but another ruling has restricted aspects of the party's congress arrangements.
- The party's leadership status and congress arrangements remain unresolved ahead of the 2027 general elections.
