A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an interim order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as the interim national chairman and national secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), respectively. The order was granted after an ex parte motion filed by Nafiu Gombe on 2 September 2025, which named the ADC, Mark, Aregbesola, INEC and former party chairman Ralph Nwosu as defendants. Justice Emeka Nwite’s ruling also bars INEC from acknowledging Mark’s and Aregbesola’s appointments pending a hearing on a previously filed motion.
Before the court’s decision, INEC had officially listed Mark and Aregbesola as the ADC’s interim leaders on its website, a move that significantly affected the party’s leadership structure and its participation in the national electoral process. The African Democratic Congress is a prominent Nigerian political party, and the leadership dispute has attracted considerable attention within the country’s political landscape.
The court’s interim measure is temporary, and the case will proceed to a full hearing. The final judgment will have a substantial impact on the ADC’s leadership and its ability to take part in future elections. As the proceedings unfold, political observers and stakeholders are expected to monitor the case closely, underscoring the judiciary’s role in resolving disputes and safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system.
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