The leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has taken a fresh turn after a Federal High Court in Abuja adjourned indefinitely a suit challenging the party’s current leadership structure.
The case, filed by former ADC deputy national chairman Nafiu Bala Gombe, seeks to challenge the emergence of former Senate President David Mark and ex-Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as leaders of the party.
Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the matter indefinitely after lawyers informed the court that the plaintiff had formally written to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court requesting that the case be transferred to another judge.
During proceedings, Bala’s counsel, Luka Haruna (SAN), told the court that the request for reassignment had already been submitted through an official letter dated May 4, 2026.
According to him, the court should await the administrative decision of the Chief Judge before proceeding further with the matter.
However, lawyers representing the defendants strongly opposed the move, describing it as an attempt to delay proceedings and frustrate accelerated hearing orders earlier issued by appellate courts.
Counsel representing the ADC leadership argued that litigants cannot choose judges for their cases, warning that such actions could undermine judicial integrity and public confidence in the legal process.
Justice Nwite, while delivering the ruling, stated that the court could not make any pronouncement on the transfer request since the letter was addressed directly to the Chief Judge.
He further noted that the defendants had not yet been formally served with the transfer request, making it inappropriate for the court to proceed without hearing all parties involved.
The judge consequently adjourned the matter sine die — indefinitely — pending further administrative direction and the filing of certified copies of relevant Supreme Court judgments linked to the case.
The legal dispute stems from ongoing tensions within the ADC over the party’s leadership structure following the emergence of David Mark as a major figure within the opposition platform.
Bala has consistently argued that the leadership arrangement involving Mark and Aregbesola violates the ADC constitution and provisions of the Electoral Act.
The matter has already travelled through multiple levels of Nigeria’s judicial system.
Earlier this year, the Supreme Court dismissed an interlocutory appeal connected to the dispute and directed that substantive issues be resolved at the Federal High Court.
The crisis has continued attracting national political attention due to growing speculation that the ADC could become a strategic coalition platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Political observers believe the internal battle may significantly affect the party’s stability and its ability to attract major political actors seeking alternatives outside the APC and PDP structures.
Meanwhile, the David Mark-led faction of the ADC has accused Bala and his allies of attempting to manipulate the judicial process through “forum shopping.”
In a statement reacting to the adjournment, the faction’s spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, alleged that efforts were being made to influence the direction of the case by seeking a different judge.
The statement warned against attempts to politicise the judiciary and insisted that the ADC leadership would continue to defend the rule of law.
As the legal battle drags on, uncertainty continues to surround the future leadership structure of the party at a time when political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections are already intensifying across Nigeria.
For now, all parties remain in limbo as they await further directives from the Chief Judge regarding the request for reassignment and the continuation of the high-profile case.