The battle for control of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, just hit a legal speed bump.
A planned “speedy hearing” to remove Senator David Mark’s caretaker committee collapsed on Monday after all defendants — except INEC — asked Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, to step down over alleged bias.
Ruling on the recusal motion is now fixed for June 16, 2026.
–Who’s fighting who–
Plaintiff: Nafiu Bala Gombe, former ADC National Deputy Chairman North-East.
Defendants: ADC, INEC, Senator David Mark, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Chief Ralph Nwosu.
Gombe’s argument is simple: When ex-National Chairman Chief Nwosu resigned, he — as deputy — should have taken over. Instead, Senator Mark and Aregbesola were installed to head a Caretaker Committee.
He wants the court to:
1. Nullify all actions taken by the Mark-led leadership
2. Restrain Mark and Aregbesola from parading themselves as National Chairman and Secretary
3. Declare their emergence violated ADC’s constitution and Electoral Act
–New twist: More players enter–
Only 5 defendants were listed initially. But ADC’s National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, has now filed to join the suit as an “interested party” — claiming the case outcome will affect his rights.
–Why the delay matters–
ADC is positioning itself ahead of 2027. With Mark and Aregbesola leading the caretaker team, the party has been courting big names. But Bala Gombe says the takeover was illegal from day one.
Justice Lifu’s decision on June 16 will decide two things:
1. Whether he stays on the case
2. Whether the Mark-led committee survives or gets dissolved
Until then, ADC has two chairmen on paper — and zero certainty.
The courtroom, not the convention hall, will decide who controls the party logo.
