ADC Leadership Crisis Deepens as Court of Appeal Dismisses David Mark’s Appeal
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has plunged deeper into a leadership crisis after the Court of Appeal in Abuja dismissed an appeal filed by former Senate President and current National Chairman of the party, David Mark.
The judgment paves the way for party stalwart Nafiu Bala Gombe to legally challenge the legitimacy of Mark’s leadership.
Delivered on Thursday by a three-member panel headed by Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam, the appellate court ruled that Mark’s appeal was procedurally defective and lacked competence. PulseNets learnt that this decision now allows the substantive case contesting ADC’s leadership to continue at the Federal High Court in Abuja, further escalating the internal tussle for control of the opposition party.
The crisis reportedly began following Mark’s assumption of the National Chairmanship, with former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola appointed as National Secretary. The leadership move was immediately disputed by Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman, who argued that the election process breached the party’s constitution and ignored established internal democratic procedures.
PulseNets learnt that Bala Gombe subsequently filed a substantive suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to nullify the Mark-led leadership. He also moved an ex parte application requesting interim relief, including an injunction to prevent the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing Mark and Aregbesola as the lawful leaders of ADC. The application, obtained by PulseNets, was filed on September 4, 2025, before Justice Emeka Nwite.
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Justice Nwite, however, declined to grant the interim relief immediately. He instructed that all respondents—including ADC, Mark, Aregbesola, INEC, and the party’s immediate past National Chairman Ralph Nwosu—be formally notified and given the opportunity to respond, PulseNets learnt.
The latest development signals a protracted legal battle within ADC, with party watchers telling PulseNets that the ruling could significantly reshape the internal hierarchy if Bala Gombe’s substantive suit succeeds.
