Federal High Court for Abuja don throway application wey wan stop African Democratic Congress (ADC) from holding convention, congress or any meeting to elect or confirm party executives.
Justice Emeka Nwite, wey give ruling on Friday, refuse the ex parte motion wey former ADC Deputy National Chairman, Nafiu-Bala Gombe, file. Judge talk say if court grant the request without hearing from other parties, e go amount to overreach.
Justice Nwite remind say since September 4, 2025, court don already order ADC leaders, including National Chairman, Senator David Mark, to show cause why dem no go restrain dem from acting as party leaders. According to am, all parties don already exchange court papers for the main case.
The judge talk say,
“Dis application na from the main matter. Since all parties don dey court already, any ex parte application without informing others go be overreach. Justice go better if court put all parties on notice. Because of that, the application fail.”
The application, wey get suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, Gombe file am on December 15 through him lawyer, Michael Agber. He name ADC, David Mark and party secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, as defendants. INEC and Chief Ralph Nwosu join as fourth and fifth defendants.
Gombe bin ask court make dem temporarily stop ADC from holding any convention or congress to elect or approve executives, and also stop INEC from monitoring or recognising such meetings. He also want court make everybody maintain status quo for how party dey run.
When dem call the case, Agber argue say the prayers no be the same with earlier application, say na to stop actions wey fit affect the pending case.
But Justice Nwite no agree. He say,
“Dis matter dey before me already. If anybody do anyhow, such action go be null and void. You no fit shave person head when e no dey there.”
Even though the judge show concern, he still allow Agber move the motion. Gombe, for affidavit of urgency, allege say ADC still dey hold meetings across the country with INEC support, under wetin he call “illegal leadership” of David Mark and others.
He mention unveiling of new ADC national secretariat, sharing of membership cards to big politicians, and release of Osun governorship primary guidelines as actions wey disrespect earlier court order.
Justice Nwite finally point out say similar ex parte application wey Gombe file for September 2025 don already fail, and court don earlier direct say make all defendants get proper notice before any ruling.
