Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled Friday, May 8 for hearing arguments in a bitter dispute over leadership of the African Democratic Party.
Nafiu-Bala Gombe, the former National Deputy Chairman, filed the suit challenging Sen. David Mark's position as National Chairman.
Mark and other party officials are named as defendants in the case.
Justice Emeka Nwite, the trial judge, issued hearing notices to all parties after receiving an application from Gombe's legal team. The application was filed on May 5 and addressed to the Deputy Chief Registrar's office.
Gombe's counsel, Luka Haruna, SAN, signed the letter requesting the accelerated hearing date. He noted that the Supreme Court had dismissed Mark's interlocutory appeal on April 30, clearing the way for faster proceedings.
According to the letter, three senior advocates represent Gombe in the matter. They are Robert Emukpoeruo, SAN, Lukman O.
Fagbemi, SAN, and Haruna.
In the letter, the legal team cited a Court of Appeal judgment ordering accelerated hearing of the case. They asked the judge to act promptly on their request.
Justice Nwite had adjourned proceedings indefinitely on April 14 after Gombe's request. Gombe wanted to wait for the Supreme Court's ruling on Mark's appeal at that time.
The judge refused Mark's application seeking immediate hearing of all pending motions and the substantive case itself. Mark's leadership had pushed hard for that relief.
Gombe's original suit seeks orders restraining Mark, National Secretary Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and others from claiming party leadership positions. He argues they're illegally occupying offices in the party.
The case is marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025 at the Federal High Court. Five parties are defendants: the ADC itself, Mark, Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Ralph Nwosu.
Nwosu served as ADC National Chairman before stepping aside to allow Mark to lead the party. His role in the succession has become part of the dispute.
Gombe contends that Mark and Aregbesola's ascension violated the party constitution and the Electoral Act. His lawyers have built their case around these alleged breaches.
The Court of Appeal's March 12 judgment had favored accelerated proceedings, prompting the Supreme Court bid by Mark. That appeal failed, opening the door for the May 8 hearing.
The ADC leadership crisis has deepened divisions within the party in recent months. Gombe's legal challenge represents one of the most significant tests of Mark's authority.
