The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a suit seeking to sack the Senator David Mark-led interim leadership of the party, arguing that the matter falls outside the jurisdiction of the judiciary.
In a preliminary objection filed on Monday by its counsel, Shuaibu Aruwa (SAN), the party described the suit, instituted by its former Deputy National Chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe, as an abuse of court process.
“The courts in Nigeria, including the apex court, have consistently held that matters relating to the internal leadership of political parties are non-justiciable,” the ADC submitted, insisting that disputes within political parties remain internal affairs not subject to judicial intervention.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, came up for hearing the same day members of the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Mark were expected to appear before the court to show cause why the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should not be barred from recognising them.
While counsel to the plaintiff, Michael Agber, told the court that processes had been served on the defendants through the party, Justice Emeka Nwite held that the law required personal service on each respondent.
He adjourned the matter to September 30 to enable the plaintiff to comply.
The plaintiff is laying claim to the chairmanship of the party and, in his motion, sought an interim injunction restraining INEC from recognising Mark and other members of the NWC as party leaders pending determination of the case.
Defendants in the suit include the ADC, Senator David Mark, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, INEC, and the party’s former National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu.
The dispute emerged shortly after INEC updated its records to reflect the Mark-led leadership.