ADC Leadership Tussle: Chief Judge Reassigns Leadership Tussle Case To Another Judge

By Suleiman Anyalewechi.

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Honourable Justice John Tsoho, has reassigned the case  filed by an aggrieved former Deputy National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Nafiu Bala Gombe, challenging the Senator David Mark-led National Executive Committee of the party.

An Abuja Federal High Court presided over by Honourable Justice Emeka Nwite had, on Friday, May 8, 2026, adjourned proceedings indefinitely, following an oral application filed by the plaintiff, Bala-Gombe, to the effect that he has petitioned ,the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court seeking the transfer of the case to another Judge.

At the resumed hearing, counsel to plaintiff, Lukas Musa Haruna, SAN, had informed the court that although the matter was scheduled to be heard after the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court separately dismissed the interlocutory appeals filed by Mark, he however noted that a letter has been written to the Chief Judge on the need to transfer the matter to another Judge.

He urged the court to halt proceedings pending the response to the plaintiff’s demand.

“At this juncture, we most humbly.pray to your Lordship to wait for the administrative decision of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court”, Haruna stated.

But, despite strident opposition from the defendant’s legal team, Justice Nwite held that it will be inappropriate for him to take any action on the said letter without first hearing the official response of the defendants who had claimed not to have been served copies of the said letter to the Chief Judge.

“Taking a decision or any action on such a letter without hearing from the defendants will amount to a breach of their fundamental right in the suit.

“This matter is best adjourned sine die to afford parties the opportunity of properly filing a Certified True Copy CTC of the judgment of the Supreme in the interlocutory appeal in the suit to serve defendants with the letter addressed to the Honourable Chief Judge, and finally to await further, or any directive from the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court”,  Nwite had ruled.

The suit was said to have been reassigned to Honourable Justice Peter Lifu on Friday May 29, 2026.

The Source reports that in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025  the ADC, Chief Ralph Nwosu, former National Chairman, Senator Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, the National Secretary and the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC are listed as respondents. Bala-Gombe, is seeking an order restraining Mark and other members of his ADC NEC from parading themselves in that capacity.

According to him, the emergence of Senator Mark, Aregbesola, and other national officers of the ADC are in complete violation of the constitution of the party.

In his motion on notice, Bala-Gombe prayed the Court for an order declaring him as the rightful National Chairman of the ADC after the resignation of Chief Nwosu, the former National Chairman.

The Supreme Court of Nigeria had, on April 30, 2026, while dismissing the interlocutory appeal filed by Senator Mark, directed parties in the case to return to the trial court for the continuation of proceedings in the substantive suit.

However, the apex court, while nullifying an earlier Court of Appeal verdict ordering parties in the matter to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the hearing and determination of the matter, ordered the INEC to restore recognition for the Mark-led NEC.

The Supreme Court, also, ordered an accelerated hearing of the motion on notice filed at the trial court.

The outcome of the suit will determine if the ADC will be lawfully participating in the 2027 electoral processes, including the polls proper l.

A victory for Bala-Gombe will automatically render nugatory all the actions and activities of the Mark-led national leadership, including the nomination of candidates for the 2027 elections.