TD The Federal High Court in Abuja has reserved judgment in a leadership dispute involving the African Democratic Congress (ADC), following final arguments by lawyers representing Nafiu Bala Gombe, former Senate President David Mark, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and other defendants.
The suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025 centres on Gombe’s challenge to the emergence of Mark, Aregbesola and members of the party’s interim National Working Committee (NWC) as its leaders.
Justice Peter Lifu reserved judgment after counsel for the plaintiff and defendants adopted their written submissions and presented their final arguments.
The date for the delivery of judgment was not specified in the information provided.
Court Rejects Applications Seeking Judge’s Recusal
Before reserving judgment, Justice Lifu reportedly dismissed separate applications by the ADC and Aregbesola seeking his withdrawal from the case over allegations of bias.
The judge described the applications as lacking merit and awarded costs of ₦1 million each against the ADC and Aregbesola, payable to Gombe.
The rulings mean the judge declined the requests to recuse himself and proceeded to conclude the hearing.
The substantive leadership dispute remains awaiting judgment.
What Is the ADC Dispute About?
Gombe is asking the court to restrain Mark, Aregbesola and members of the interim NWC from presenting themselves as leaders of the ADC.
His case, as outlined in the supplied account, is that their emergence violated provisions of the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.
The dispute concerns the authority to lead the party and the legal validity of the leadership arrangements challenged by Gombe.
The defendants named in the suit include Mark, Aregbesola, the ADC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Ralph Nwosu.
Case Returned to Federal High Court After Supreme Court Ruling
The case returned to the Federal High Court for an accelerated hearing following a Supreme Court ruling on April 30, 2026.
The court reportedly set aside an earlier status-quo order issued by the Court of Appeal.
The ruling formed part of the procedural background to the resumed proceedings.
The substantive question of the ADC’s leadership is now before Justice Lifu for determination.
Judgment Could Shape ADC Leadership Dispute
The reserved judgment is expected to address the issues raised in the suit concerning the legitimacy of the disputed leadership arrangements.
Until the court delivers its decision, the central claims in the case remain matters for judicial determination.
Reserving judgment does not, by itself, establish which side has prevailed.
The court’s complete ruling and the parties’ filed processes should be expected for the precise terms of the recusal decisions and the reliefs sought.
