• Invites Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai, others to join ‘authentic ADC’
• No injunction against leaders, ADC clarifies, warns public against fake reports
• Court refuses ex-parte bid to stop Mark, Aregbesola as ADC leaders
• Adjourns hearing on leadership tussle till Monday

A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has claimed that the Federal High Court issued an order restraining former Senate President David Mark, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, and others from parading themselves as members of the party’s national executive.

The group said the ruling vindicated its position on the legitimacy of its leadership and reaffirmed its determination to restore the ADC to its “authentic glory.”

Reacting, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, in a statement yesterday, dismissed such claims, describing them as the handiwork of “desperate political jobbers” disappointed by the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) recognition of the new leadership of the party.

Meanwhile, in the contested ruling delivered yesterday, a Federal High Court in Abuja refused an ex-parte application filed by the plaintiff, Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC. Instead, it directed that the defendants be put on notice and appear to show cause why the interim injunction should not be granted.

The ADC faction, in a statement signed by its Director of Media and Public Affairs, Dr Christopher O. Okechukwu, extended what it described as a “warm invitation” to political leaders and Nigerians from all walks of life to join its fold.

Okechukwu said: “The Federal High Court’s order restraining David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, and others from parading themselves as National executive members of the African Democratic Congress has vindicated our position. We welcome this development and reaffirm our commitment to reclaiming and restoring the party to its authentic glory.

“We extend a warm invitation to the following esteemed individuals and groups to join our vibrant and growing family: David Mark; Rauf Aregbesola; Nasir El-Rufai; Atiku Abubakar; Peter Obi; Rotimi Amaechi; all coalition members and the general public.

“Together, we can build a brighter future for our nation. We urge the coalition group to support the legitimate leadership of Nafiu Bala as the National Chairman of ADC. By putting aside our differences and working towards a common goal, we believe that together, we can achieve great things and take our party to new heights.”

The faction added that it was making preparations to ensure membership registration was seamless and accessible nationwide, with membership cards and registers to be distributed across the states.

It also urged Nigerians who shared its vision to join the ADC, which it described as a “dynamic and forward-thinking political party, committed to driving positive change in our nation.”

The statement concluded by stressing that the doors of the party remain open to all Nigerians, while collective effort was crucial to achieving lasting political and economic transformation.

No injunction against leaders, ADC clarifies, warns media, public against fake reports
National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi dismissed reports that the Federal High Court issued an order restraining David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from acting as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, insisting that no injunction was granted against its leadership.

The party described the claims as “fake news”, clarifying that Justice Emeka Nwite refused an ex-parte application filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe. Instead, the judge ordered that the defendants be put on notice and appear to show cause why the application should not be granted, before adjourning the matter till September 15, 2025.

The statement signed by Abdullahi, reads in part: “The African Democratic Congress wishes to set the record straight regarding false reports currently circulating in the media about the recent ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja, concerning the leadership of our great party.

“Contrary to some misleading publications, the court did not issue any order restraining Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola from functioning as the National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC, respectively.

“Instead, the Honourable Court refused the ex-parte application brought by Nafiu Bala Gombe and directed that the matter proceed with due process,” the statement said.

The party cited the court’s ruling, which explicitly stated that the application filed on September 2, 2025, was refused; that the plaintiff was directed to put the defendants on notice; that the defendants should appear before the court to show cause; and that the case was adjourned to September 15, 2025.

According to the statement, the ruling was duly signed and issued by Justice Emeka Nwite and certified by Kasope Kafayat Bola, Registrar of the Federal High Court.

“Having failed to stop INEC from acknowledging the leadership change in ADC, the political jobbers are now resorting to fake news. This goes to show that these agents of destabilisation will stop at nothing, including misrepresenting court rulings, in their desperate efforts to sow confusion and further undermine opposition parties,” it added.

The party urged journalists and the public to verify reports before publication to avoid misleading Nigerians.

What the Federal High Court resolved
The Federal High Court fixed September 15, 2025, to hear a motion seeking to restrain former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola from parading themselves as the National Chairman and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, respectively.

In the ruling, the court refused an ex-parte application filed by the plaintiff, Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC. Instead, it directed that the defendants be put on notice and appear to show cause why the interim injunction should not be granted.

The presiding judge, Justice K.A. Nwite ruled that all parties must be heard before any restraining order is issued and adjourned the matter to September 15.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/1819/2025, lists the ADC, Senator David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Chief Ralph Nwosu as the first to fifth respondents.

Gombe is challenging the legitimacy of the new leadership, insisting that he remains the authentic National Chairman of the party. He is also questioning INEC’s recognition of the Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC), which assumed office after the dissolution of the previous NWC, led by Chief Ralph Nwosu, during the ADC’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja.

In the interim, the court directed the defendants not to take any further steps in their claimed capacities until the motion is heard.
Nwosu commends INEC, says recognition of Mark gifts ADC to Anambra

Relatedly, the gubernatorial contender of the African Democratic Congress in Anambra State, John Chuma Nwosu, has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for regularising the David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

He said the prompt recognition of the ADC’s national leadership was a major democratic gesture for Anambra voters, stressing that the development came as a much-needed relief at a time the electorate were searching for a credible alternative.

Nwosu noted that Anambra voters found themselves in a similar political situation as in 2003, when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its leadership grew wanton with impunity as the dominant platform.

“If you recall, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) appeared as the alternative and Anambra people embraced the party with both hands. Now, 24 years down the line, the same APGA has become inebriated with power and has started treating the people with disdain.

“But, as the light of the nation, God has remembered the state again. And INEC has demonstrated patriotic impartiality by regularising the leadership of ADC. So, I can tell you that the coalition of patriotic opposition politicians would gather in Anambra to begin the journey of national rescue,” the ADC standard-bearer stated.

Nwosu dismissed claims in some quarters that the electoral umpire was merely playing a script to set up ADC for judicial destruction, saying conspiracy theories have no place in the exercise of democratic rights and responsibilities.

He said: “There is no hidden agenda. ADC has come to be; all necessary documentation has been done and the commission has done what it should. Voters now have a credible alternative to the old spoilt platforms that have been taking the masses for a ride.

“On November 8, Anambra people will have room enough to exercise their franchise and elect their governor, a servant leader and not arrogant mischief makers and opportunists. This thing that INEC has done will force all political parties to pursue campaigns based on issues that are relevant to the people.”