Court Ruling Twist: ADC Dismisses Fake News, Affirms David Mark, Aregbesola as Party Leaders

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has set the record straight, debunking widespread reports that a Federal High Court in Abuja restrained Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola from serving as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary.

In a ruling delivered on September 4, 2025, Hon. Justice Emeka Nwite flatly refused an ex-parte application filed by Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, directing instead that the defendants be formally put on notice to appear in court on September 15, 2025, to show cause why the application should not be granted.

The ADC condemned what it described as the “dirty antics of desperate political jobbers” who, having failed to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing the party’s new leadership, are now “resorting to the reckless peddling of fake news” in a bid to sow confusion within the opposition fold.

Party spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi clarified in a strongly worded statement that “at no point did the Honourable Court restrain Senator Mark and Ogbeni Aregbesola from performing their legitimate duties as ADC leaders.”

The court’s official orders, signed by Justice Nwite and certified by the court’s registrar, Kasope Kafayat Bola, made four clear pronouncements:

1. The Plaintiff’s application filed on September 2, 2025, was refused.

2. The Plaintiff was directed to put the Defendants on notice.

3. The Defendants were ordered to appear and show cause.


4. The matter was adjourned to September 15, 2025, for hearing.

Rejecting claims of a leadership crisis, the ADC accused detractors of “misrepresenting judicial rulings to destabilize the opposition and mislead Nigerians.”

> “Having failed to stop INEC from acknowledging the leadership change in the ADC, these agents of destabilization have now taken to fabricating stories. Nigerians must remain vigilant and the media must verify before publishing. Fake news is their last card,” the statement read.

The party urged its members, supporters, and the general public not to be distracted by misinformation but to stand firm as the ADC, under the leadership of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola, continues to reposition itself as a credible alternative voice in Nigeria’s political landscape.