The Pathfinder
Tuesday April 14, 2026
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The Federal High Court in Abuja has declined a request by the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to proceed with hearing applications in an ongoing leadership dispute.
In a ruling delivered by Emeka Nwite, the court held that it would be inappropriate to continue proceedings while the issue of jurisdiction is already before the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The suit was filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the party, who is challenging the emergence of Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as ADC national chairman and national secretary, respectively.
Justice Nwite ruled that proceeding with the matter could lead to a conflict with the authority of the apex court, which is currently reviewing related appeals. He stressed that once jurisdiction is being contested at the Supreme Court, lower courts must exercise restraint.
According to the judge, any judgment delivered without proper jurisdiction would be null and void, regardless of its substance. He added that the Supreme Court’s decision could ultimately determine the fate of the entire case.
Consequently, the court adjourned the matter indefinitely pending the outcome of the Supreme Court proceedings.
Earlier, counsel to Gombe, Lukman Fagbemi, had urged the court to suspend proceedings, noting that the appeal filed by Mark had already been entered at the apex court, with a hearing fixed for April 22, 2026.
However, lawyers representing the ADC, Mark, Aregbesola, and other parties opposed the request, arguing that the lower court should continue with the case since no formal stay of proceedings had been granted.
Despite their objections, the court ruled that it was in the interest of justice to await the Supreme Court’s verdict.
The dispute is part of a broader leadership crisis within the ADC, with multiple factions engaged in legal battles over control of the party’s structure ahead of future elections.
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