The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a statement to dispel false claims suggesting that the Federal High Court in Abuja barred Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola from serving as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.
On September 4, 2025, during proceedings overseen by Hon. Justice Emeka Nwite, the court dismissed an ex-parte motion filed by Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe. Instead, the court mandated that the defendants be formally notified and required to appear to explain why the application should not be granted. The case was subsequently postponed to September 15, 2025, for further hearing.
The ADC highlighted that the spread of misinformation has become a tactic employed by frustrated political operatives who are discontented with the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) recognition of the party’s new leadership.
The party called on journalists and the public to exercise caution, verify facts, and avoid falling prey to deceptive news that could mislead Nigerians.
Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC’s spokesperson, emphasized that no court order exists preventing Senator Mark and Ogbeni Aregbesola from fulfilling their roles as National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.
He clarified that the court rejected the ex-parte application submitted by Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe and insisted that the legal process must continue in accordance with due procedure.
“The judgment delivered by Hon. Justice Emeka Nwite on September 4, 2025, explicitly contained four directives: the refusal of the Plaintiff/Applicant’s motion filed on September 2, 2025; the instruction for the Plaintiff/Applicant to notify the Defendants; the order for the Defendants/Respondents to appear before the court to justify why the application should not be granted; and the adjournment of the case to September 15, 2025, for the Defendants/Respondents to present their case,” Abdullahi stated.
“This order was officially signed by Hon. Justice Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, and authenticated by Kasope Kafayat Bola, Registrar of the Federal High Court.”
He further noted, “Having failed to prevent INEC from endorsing the ADC’s leadership transition, these political saboteurs have resorted to fabricating news.”
“This behavior reveals the lengths to which these destabilizing forces will go, including distorting judicial decisions, in their attempts to create confusion and weaken opposition parties.”
“Therefore, the ADC leadership urges media practitioners and the wider public to remain alert and skeptical of false reports and misinformation often propagated by the ruling party and its affiliates,” the statement concluded.
