The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed April 14 for the hearing of a suit challenging the leadership of the African Democratic Congress led by former Senate President, David Mark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The suit, filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, is seeking to stop Mark and other party leaders from parading themselves as executives of the party.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Justice Emeka Nwite fixed the date on Friday after hearing notices were issued to all parties in the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The case, marked FHC\/ABJ\/CS\/1819\/2025, has the ADC, Mark, former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and former ADC Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, listed as defendants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The matter had earlier been adjourned indefinitely pending the outcome of an appeal challenging an earlier court order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, the Court of Appeal, in a judgment delivered on March 12, directed parties to return to the trial court and maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following the appellate court\u2019s decision, INEC reportedly removed the names of Mark and Aregbesola from its portal as the party\u2019s National Chairman and National Secretary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In response, the Mark-led faction filed a motion on April 7 seeking an order compelling INEC to restore their names on its portal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They also asked the court for accelerated hearing of the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, Mark and Aregbesola have filed preliminary objections asking the court to dismiss the suit for lack of jurisdiction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark, in his objection, argued that Gombe lacked locus standi to institute the case, claiming he had resigned his position as Deputy National Chairman of the party.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also argued that the suit bordered on internal party affairs, which he said were non-justiciable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aregbesola, in a counter-affidavit, also urged the court to dismiss the suit, describing it as unmeritorious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He asked the court to award N50 million in costs against the plaintiff for what he called a frivolous suit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nwosu also challenged the suit, arguing that it was premature and that internal dispute mechanisms of the party were not exhausted before approaching the court.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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