The legal dispute over the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has taken a new turn after the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court reassigned a case challenging the party’s leadership to a new judge.
The suit was filed by Nafiu Bala, who is seeking to stop David Mark from acting as the party’s national chairman, alongside Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary and other members of the party’s interim National Working Committee (NWC).
The case has been reassigned to Justice Peter Lifu after the previous judge, Emeka Nwite, was among judges recently recommended by the National Judicial Council (NJC) for elevation to the Court of Appeal.
Bala argues that the emergence of the Mark-led interim leadership violated provisions of the ADC constitution and Nigeria’s Electoral Act. The defendants in the suit include the ADC, Mark, Aregbesola, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and former ADC national chairman Ralph Nwosu.
The reassignment follows a ruling by the Supreme Court of Nigeria directing all parties to return to the Federal High Court for an accelerated hearing of the dispute. The apex court had earlier set aside a Court of Appeal order that required parties to maintain the status quo in the leadership tussle.
At a previous hearing, Bala’s legal team requested that the matter be transferred to another judge. Lawyers representing the ADC leadership opposed the move, describing it as an attempt at “forum shopping” and insisting they had confidence in Justice Nwite’s impartiality.
With the case now before a new judge, the legal battle over control of the ADC is expected to continue as the party prepares for the 2027 elections. The outcome could have significant implications for the party’s leadership structure and internal stability.
