Three aggrieved members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have approached the Federal High Court in Abuja to challenge the appointment of Senator David Mark and other interim leaders of the coalition party.
The plaintiffs— Adeyemi Emmanuel, Ayodeji Victor Tolu and Haruna Ismaila— sought the court to sack the party’s interim leaders, alleging their appointment contravenes the constitution of the party.
Joined as defendants in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1328 were ADC, Independent National Electoral Commission, former chairman of the party Ralph Nwosu, Mr Mark, former Osun governor Rauf Aregbesola and former minister Bolaji Abdullahi.
The plaintiffs asked the court to determine whether or not the appointment ofa interim leaders of the party was made in breach of the provisions of the party’s Constitution, 2018 (as amended).
They also wanted the court to determine whether the current executive committee of the coalition party ought not to have been dissolved or replaced only through a properly convened National Convention or a valid decision of the National Executive Committee (NEC).
According to the plaintiffs, the court should also determine whether or not Mr Nwosu’s purported handover of the party’s leadership structure to the newly constituted leadership of the ADC is not a direct violation of the judgement delivered in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/1541/2022 by Hon.Justice Binta Nyako on 21st December 2022, among many other questions.
The plaintiffs urged the court to declare the appointment and nomination of the interim leadership of the party null and void.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
Recall that Mr Mark and other coalition members took over from Mr Nwosu as the coalition party’s interim leaders at the formal unveiling in Abuja last week.
Saying Nigeria was in a critical situation, Mr Nwosu expressed optimism that the coalition interim leadership would lead the party to victory in the 2027 presidential election.
However, Dumebi Kachikwu, a former presidential candidate who contested under the platform of ADC, called the transfer of power as unconstitutional, accusing coalition members of desperation for power and selfishness.
