The Federal High Court in Abuja has affirmed the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), upholding former Senate President David Mark as the party’s National Chairman.

Justice Musa Liman dismissed a suit filed by Leke Abejide, ruling that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter because it involved the internal affairs of a political party.

According to the court, disputes relating to party leadership are non-justiciable unless clear legal violations are established. Justice Liman also held that Abejide lacked the legal standing to institute the suit, as he failed to show how his rights were infringed by the emergence of the current leadership.

The judge further ruled that Abejide did not exhaust the ADC’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms before approaching the court.

The suit had challenged the legitimacy of the July 2, 2025 handover of party leadership by former ADC National Chairman Ralph Nwosu to the current leadership.

Justice Liman held that the transition complied with both the ADC constitution and the Electoral Act 2026. He noted that the July 2, 2025 stakeholders’ meeting, where Nwosu handed over leadership, came before the National Executive Committee meeting held on July 29, 2025.

That NEC meeting formally produced David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as ADC National Chairman and National Secretary respectively, under the supervision of Independent National Electoral Commission.

The court resolved all issues raised in the substantive suit in favour of the defendants, reinforcing the legitimacy of the party’s current leadership structure.

Justice Liman also imposed financial penalties on the claimant. He awarded ₦2 million each in costs against Abejide in favour of the defendants, while Abejide’s counsel was ordered to pay ₦10 million pursuant to the Electoral Act 2026.

Abejide had sought orders restraining Mark and Aregbesola from parading themselves as ADC leaders and asked the court to stop INEC from recognising them.

However, the court’s ruling effectively ends another chapter in the ongoing ADC leadership tussle.