Coalition: David Mark, Other ADC Interim Leaders Dragged to Court – DETAILLS

A major legal challenge has emerged within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as three party members have dragged Senator David Mark and other interim leaders to the Federal High Court in Abuja over what they describe as an unconstitutional takeover of the party’s leadership.

The plaintiffs—Adeyemi Emmanuel, Ayodeji Victor Tolu, and Haruna Ismaila—are asking the court to nullify the appointment of the new interim leadership, insisting it violates the ADC constitution and disregards an existing court judgment. They claim that the party’s leadership was handed over to individuals involved in a political merger intended to form a coalition against President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections, without following due process.

In suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1328, the ADC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu are listed as defendants, along with David Mark, who was appointed Interim National Chairman; former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, the Interim National Secretary; and former Minister of Sports Bolaji Abdullahi, now serving as Interim National Publicity Secretary.

The plaintiffs argue that these appointments breach the party’s 2018 constitution (as amended), questioning not only the legality of their roles but also whether the interim leadership structure even exists within the party’s framework.

“Whether or not the appointment of the 4th, 5th, and 6th Defendants… was made in breach of the provisions of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Constitution, 2018 (as amended),” the suit stated.

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They also challenged INEC’s recognition of the new executives, arguing it violates a subsisting judgment delivered by Justice Binta Nyako on December 21, 2022, in suit No. FHC/ABJ/1541/2022.

The lawsuit threatens the fragile unity of the opposition coalition, reportedly being driven by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, which recently adopted the ADC as a political platform for the 2027 elections.

Among the reliefs sought, the plaintiffs want the court to declare the interim leadership “unconstitutional, unlawful, null and void” and to issue an order restraining INEC from recognising their appointments.

No date has been set yet for the hearing of the case.