The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled April 14, 2026, to hear an ex parte motion filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe seeking to restrain the Senator David Mark-led faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) from parading itself as the party’s leadership.
Justice Emeka Nwite fixed the date following the issuance of hearing notices to all parties in the matter.
Gombe, in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, dragged the African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Ralph Nwosu as 1st to 5th defendants respectively.
At the previous sitting, Justice Nwite had adjourned the matter sine die (indefinitely) after counsel to the defendants informed the court that an appeal had been filed challenging an earlier order of the trial court.
However, the Court of Appeal, in its March 12, 2026 judgment, directed the parties to return to the trial court and ordered that the status quo ante bellum be maintained pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
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Following the appellate court’s pronouncement, INEC, on April 1, 2026, removed the names of Mark and Aregbesola from its official website and portal as the ADC’s National Chairman and National Secretary respectively.
In response, the Mark-led ADC leadership filed a motion on notice on April 7, 2026, through their counsel, Sulaiman Usman (SAN), urging the court to compel INEC to restore their names as they appeared prior to the institution of the suit by Gombe. They also requested an accelerated hearing of the matter.
The defendants further asked the court to dismiss the suit for lack of jurisdiction, citing provisions of Section 83(3) and Section 83(5) of the Electoral Act 2026, as well as relevant Supreme Court authorities, which they argue bar the court from entertaining the action.
Meanwhile, Aregbesola described the suit as unmeritorious and frivolous. He is seeking an order of the court awarding him N50 million as costs against Gombe, citing expenses incurred and inconvenience suffered in defending the suit.
The case is expected to resume on April 14, when Justice Nwite will hear arguments on the pending applications, including the request for summary dismissal and other ancillary reliefs. The outcome is likely to have significant implications for the leadership tussle within the ADC.