Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit challenging the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), affirming Senator David Mark and other members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) as duly elected officials.
Justice M. S. Liman, who delivered judgment in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, filed by Hon. Leke Joseph Abejide against the ADC and four others, ruled that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the matter because it concerned the internal affairs of a political party.
The judge held that the case was not a pre-election matter and therefore did not fall within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court under Section 251 of the 1999 Constitution.
Justice Liman further ruled that the plaintiff lacked the legal standing (locus standi) to institute the suit and had also failed to exhaust the internal dispute resolution mechanism provided in the ADC Constitution before approaching the court.
Based on the findings, the court struck out the case for lack of jurisdiction.
In addition, the judge held that Senator David Mark and other members of the ADC National Working Committee were duly elected and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise them as the party’s legitimate national officers.
ADC hails court’s judgment
Reacting to the judgment, the ADC described the ruling as a reaffirmation of its position that issues relating to the party’s leadership remain an internal matter and are not justiciable under the Electoral Act, 2022.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said: “This judgment, once again, affirms our clear position that the issue of leadership remains an internal affair of the party and is therefore not justiciable, especially in the light of the Electoral Act, 2022; and that the emergence of the current leadership of our great party, led by Senator David Mark, was carried out in accordance with the law and the Constitution of the ADC.”
The opposition party said it viewed the decision as “yet another victory for multiparty democracy in Nigeria,” expressing hope that the ruling would put an end to what it described as attempts to destabilise the party through the courts.
The statement added: “It is our hope that this judgment will help bring to an end all the unnecessary distractions and attempts at judicial manipulation by those who are hell-bent on destabilising the opposition and foisting a one-party rule on the country.”
The ADC said its focus remains on offering practical solutions to Nigeria’s challenges, including insecurity, rising cost of living, unemployment and declining economic opportunities, rather than being distracted by legal disputes.
The party, however, maintained that it would remain vigilant, insisting that “anti-democratic forces remain active and motivated to continue to pursue their inglorious agenda against the Nigerian people.”
It also commended Justice Liman for what it described as his courage in delivering the judgment and praised the court’s decision to award costs against the plaintiff and his legal team, expressing hope that the sanctions would discourage similar lawsuits in the future.
The party thanked its members, supporters and Nigerians for their continued support and urged them to remain united as it pursues its political objectives.
