The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an interim order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising former Senate President, David Mark and ex-Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola, as interim national chairman and national secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Justice Emeka Nwite granted the order following a motion ex parte dated September 2, 2025, filed by Nafiu Gombe.
The ruling also bars INEC from recognising the representatives of David Mark and Aregbesola until the hearing of a motion on notice already filed in the matter.
The ADC, Mark, and Aregbesola were listed as the first to third defendants in the suit, while INEC and the party’s former national chairman, Ralph Nwosu, were named as the fourth and fifth defendants. Despite INEC’s earlier recognition of the two politicians on its website, the court’s Order temporarily halts their official status in the party.
Other principal officers recently recognised by INEC include former Edo governor Oserheimen Osunbor as national legal adviser, Ibrahim Mani as national treasurer, and Akibu Dalhatu as national financial secretary
The opposition coalition, which officially adopted the ADC as its platform on July 2, 2025, aims to contest the 2027 elections. Prominent members include former vice president Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, ex-Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Rivers governor Rotimi Amaechi, among others. At the unveiling, Nwosu formally handed over the party’s membership card to Mark and Aregbesola.
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