David Mark, Aregbesola’s ADC Leadership takeover suffers setback as court adjourn case

The legal tussle over the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) suffered a setback on Monday at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The suit, filed to restrain former Senate President David Mark, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, and Chief Ralph Nwosu from assuming leadership positions in the party, stalled due to improper service of court papers.

Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided over the matter, noted that the defendants were not properly served, as the plaintiff’s lawyer attempted to serve them through the ADC instead of personally as required by law. The judge explained that valid service could only be achieved through personal delivery or by obtaining an order for substituted service.

Acknowledging the error, the plaintiff’s counsel, Michael Agber, requested an adjournment to rectify the service process. Justice Nwite subsequently directed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), one of the defendants, be served in open court. The court has now fixed September 30, 2025, for the continuation of the hearing.

The case was initiated by former ADC Deputy National Chairman, Nafiu-Bala Gombe, who is challenging the takeover of the party’s leadership by Mark and Aregbesola. Gombe had sought an interim injunction to stop INEC from recognising them as the national chairman and secretary of the party, but Justice Nwite declined to grant the restraining order. Instead, he ordered that the defendants be put on notice to respond to the claims.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, lists the ADC, David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, INEC, and Ralph Nwosu as defendants. Gombe’s application seeks to bar the defendants from parading themselves as party leaders pending the determination of his originating summons.