Final Judgments Scheduled in Controversial ADC Leadership Cases
In a significant development for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled a judgment date for April 13 regarding a case brought by Leke Abegide. Abegide is challenging the leadership of the ADC, specifically targeting the roles of Senator David Mark and Senator Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
During a recent court session, Justice Liman set the date for the ruling after attorneys for both parties presented their arguments, outlining the legal intricacies of the case. In a parallel proceeding, Justice Emeka Nwite has arranged for another related suit led by Hon Nafiu Bala Gombe, set to be heard on April 14, which also disputes the leadership under Mark.
Abegide, representing himself as the House of Representatives speaker within the ADC, seeks a court order to prevent Senator Mark and Senator Aregbesola from being recognized as the National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively. His lawsuit names key defendants, including the ADC itself, former national chairman Ralph Nwosu, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Among the eight specific requests made in the suit, Abegide is asking the court to annul the transfer of ADC leadership executed by Nwosu to Mark and Aregbesola, claiming it was illegal and void. Furthermore, he aims to secure a permanent injunction to bar the duo from presenting themselves as party leaders, arguing that their appointments do not comply with the legal standards set forth in the 2022 Elections Act.
The defendants have contested Abegide’s right to file the suit, suggesting that the matter pertains to the internal dynamics of political parties, a realm they argue the court cannot navigate. They assert that the leadership transition occurred during a National Executive Committee meeting on July 29, not July 2, as Abegide claimed. They further contend that he lacks legal standing and have requested that the court dismiss the case with appropriate costs under the Elections Act.
In a synchronized response, INEC’s counsel, Mr. Onyeri, formally requested the case’s dismissal while presenting a counter-affidavit that supports the defendants’ position. Justice Nwite has scheduled April 14 for the hearing of Gombe’s challenge against the Mark-led administration.
Gombe’s suit names five defendants, including Nwosu and other leadership figures within the ADC. The suit has faced challenges, as the court awaits clarification from the Court of Appeal regarding its status. Despite this, INEC had, on April 1, removed Mark and Aregbesola from its official roles, contradicting the Court of Appeal’s recent directive to maintain the status quo.
In response to INEC’s actions, the Mark-led leadership has filed a motion seeking their reinstatement while also pushing for an expedited trial. Both Mark and Aregbesola argue that Gombe does not have the standing necessary to bring forth the suit due to his voluntary resignation from his position as national vice-chairman of the ADC. They assert that the lawsuit is baseless and stems from misunderstandings related to internal party proceedings, requesting its dismissal on these grounds.
