2027: ADC denies court removal of David Mark, Aregbesola, affirms their leadership

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed as false and politically motivated the reports claiming that Senator David Mark and former Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, were removed as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC clarified that Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on September 4, 2025, only rejected an ex-parte application filed by Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe. The court instead directed that the defendants be put on notice, with the case adjourned to September 15 for further hearing.

The party’s clarification comes on the heels of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) recognition of the new leadership under Mark and Aregbesola, a development that has sparked resistance within some quarters of the party.

“Contrary to misleading publications, the court did not restrain Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola from functioning as National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC. What the court ordered was for the defendants to be notified and to appear to show cause why the application should not be granted,” the statement read.

The certified ruling, signed by Justice Nwite and certified by Kasope Kafayat Bola, Registrar of the Federal High Court, shows four orders: refusal of the plaintiff’s ex-parte motion, notice to defendants, directive for them to appear, and adjournment of the matter to 15 September.

The ADC accused “political jobbers” of twisting the ruling in an attempt to destabilise the party following INEC’s recognition of its new leadership.

“Having failed to stop INEC from acknowledging the leadership change in ADC, these agents of destabilisation are now resorting to misrepresenting court rulings to sow confusion and undermine opposition parties,” the statement added.

The party urged journalists and the public to verify reports before publication or circulation, warning against the dangers of misinformation.