The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, has refused an application seeking to halt the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under Senator David Mark. The application was filed by Mr. Nafiu-Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC, who sought an ex parte motion to restrain Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola from acting as the party's National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively, pending the hearing of a substantive suit.

Justice Nwite, however, rejected the three prayers contained in the ex parte motion. Instead of granting the interim injunctions, the court directed Mr. Gombe, the plaintiff, to formally notify all the defendants to appear and show cause why the motion should not be granted. The matter has since been adjourned to September 15, 2025, for the defendants to present their case. The ruling was delivered on September 4, 2025, with the certified true copy of the order made available to newsmen.

In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, Gombe had named ADC, Senator Mark, Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Chief Ralph Nwosu as the 1st to 5th defendants. The ex parte motion, dated and filed on September 2, 2025, specifically sought an interim injunction to restrain INEC from recognizing Mark and Aregbesola as the national chairman and national secretary of the ADC. It also requested an order to prevent Mark and Aregbesola and their associates from identifying themselves in those capacities, pending the hearing of the motion on notice.

Following the court's decision, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) issued a statement clarifying that no order was issued restraining Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola from performing their roles. The party condemned what it described as 'fake news' and the actions of 'desperate political jobbers' who they believe are misrepresenting the court's ruling. According to the ADC, these individuals resorted to spreading misinformation after INEC acknowledged the change in the party's leadership, which had disappointed them.

The ADC's statement further detailed the specific orders made by Hon. Justice Emeka Nwite on September 4, 2025. These orders confirmed that the Plaintiff/Applicant's application dated and filed on September 2, 2025, was refused. Furthermore, the Plaintiff/Applicant was directed to put the Defendants on notice, and the Defendants/Respondents were ordered to appear before the court to show cause why the application should not be granted. The case was then adjourned to September 15, 2025, for this purpose. The party emphasized that the order was duly signed and issued by Justice Emeka Nwite and certified by Kasope Kafayat Bola, Registrar of the Federal High Court.

The ADC urged the media and the general public to exercise vigilance against inaccurate reports, asserting that such actions by 'agents of destabilisation' are aimed at sowing confusion and undermining opposition parties. The party reiterated that these efforts, including misrepresenting court rulings, are part of a desperate agenda to create unrest.