A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit filed by former presidential candidate Dumebi Kachikwu challenging the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President David Mark.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, who delivered the ruling on Friday, held that the issues raised in the case relate to the internal affairs of a political party and therefore fall outside the jurisdiction of the court.
Kachikwu, alongside Adikwu Elias, Etimbuk Umoh, Muhammad Khala and Alakum William, had instituted the suit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the ADC, Chief Ralph Nwosu, Senator David Mark and former Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1331/2025, filed in 2025, the plaintiffs sought the removal of the 2nd to 5th defendants from their positions as leaders of the party.
During the proceedings, the ADC’s National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, was joined as an interested party on October 3, 2025. Ukandu had also petitioned Justice Abdulmalik and the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, to the National Judicial Council (NJC), alleging bias and corrupt tendencies in the handling of the matter.
He further initiated separate legal actions at the Federal High Court and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, seeking an order directing Justice Abdulmalik to recuse herself from the case.
However, in her judgment, Justice Abdulmalik ruled that disputes relating to party membership and leadership are voluntary matters that should be resolved through internal mechanisms within the party.
She emphasised that such matters are non-justiciable and therefore beyond the intervention of the court, adding that aggrieved members may either seek redress through party structures or choose to leave the party.
The opposition coalition had earlier, in July last year, appointed David Mark as interim National Chairman of the ADC, with former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola serving as interim National Secretary.
Reacting to the judgment, ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi described the decision as a victory for democracy and the rule of law.
“This judgement is a welcome affirmation of the well-established legal principle that political parties retain the constitutional right to manage their internal affairs without undue interference,” Abdullahi said.
He commended the judiciary “for once again demonstrating its commitment to upholding the rule of law,” while adding that the party would remain vigilant.
Abdullahi also urged Nigerians and political leaders who had yet to align with the party to take advantage of its ongoing registration exercise.
“This moment should also serve as a call to action for citizens and leaders across the country who have been sitting on the fence. The time to act is now. Nigeria needs a strong, credible, and organised opposition, and the ADC remains committed to providing that platform,” he said.
He further assured that the party would resist attempts to undermine its internal processes.
“The ADC will also remain vigilant and resolute. We will continue to resist all attempts to distract, destabilise, or undermine the party’s democratic processes. Our focus remains clear: to build a strong political institution capable of offering Nigerians a credible alternative and restoring hope in our democratic system,” Abdullahi added.
