Nigeria: Court orders ADC leadership to appear as battle for control continues
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to appear before it on September 15 to show cause why the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should not be barred from recognizing them as the party’s leaders.
The court’s decision came after a suit filed by three aggrieved members of the party, who are challenging the appointment of Mark and Engr. Rauf Aregbesola as interim national chairman and national secretary, respectively.
The ADC’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Dumebi Kachikwu, hailed the court order, saying it was a welcome development. However, the party itself has denied reports that the court ordered the removal of Mark and Aregbesola from their positions.
The crisis in the ADC began when Mark was appointed interim chairman and Aregbesola interim national secretary after the exit of founding Chairman, Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu. The leadership transition faced strong resistance from some party figures, who described the change as illegal and divisive.
The party’s new leadership has the support of opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi.
The court had earlier refused an ex-parte application by a former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Nafiu Gombe, who is laying claim to the chairmanship seat of the party. Instead, the court ordered the plaintiff to put the defendants on notice and directed them to appear on September 15 to show cause why the application should not be granted.
The ADC is currently facing internal conflicts and power struggles, with different factions vying for control of the party. The outcome of the court case will likely determine the future leadership of the party.
