National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has assured party members that the ADC would field candidates capable of winning elections despite the ongoing leadership dispute within the party.
Mark gave the assurance on Wednesday while addressing members of the Forum of the African Democratic Congress at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
He urged party members to remain united and resist attempts to divide the party through factional interests.
“We must close our ranks and avoid issues of factionalisation. Our opponents are bringing renegades as one-man factions. We shall overcome all their shenanigans,” Mark said.
Court Fixes Hearing in Leadership Dispute
Meanwhile, the Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed Friday, May 8, for hearing in the suit filed by Nafiu-Bala Gombe against Mark and other party officials over the ADC leadership crisis.
It was gathered that hearing notices had already been issued to all parties in the suit before Justice Emeka Nwite.
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The date was fixed following an application by counsel to the plaintiff, Luka Haruna, SAN, seeking an accelerated hearing of the matter marked FHC/ABJ/1819/2025.
In the letter dated May 5 and addressed to the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, the legal team informed the court that the Supreme Court had dismissed the interlocutory appeal filed by Mark on April 30, 2026.
The lawyers also attached a copy of the Court of Appeal judgment directing an accelerated hearing of the case.
“We hereby apply for a date for the accelerated hearing of this matter in accordance with the judgment of the Court of Appeal,” the letter stated.
Case was Earlier Adjourned Indefinitely
Justice Nwite had earlier adjourned the matter indefinitely on April 14 following a request by Gombe’s legal team to await the Supreme Court’s decision on Mark’s appeal.
The judge also declined an application by the Mark-led leadership of the ADC seeking the hearing of all pending motions, including the substantive suit.
Gombe, a former National Deputy Chairman of the ADC, is seeking a court order restraining Mark, the party’s National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and other officials from presenting themselves as leaders of the party pending the determination of the suit.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.