The factional National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nafiu Bala Gombe, has commended the Federal High Court for its ruling on the party’s internal leadership dispute, describing the judgment as independent, impartial and courageous.
Bala, in a statement issued on Thursday following the judgment in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, praised the trial judge for deciding the matter based on constitutional and statutory provisions rather than political considerations.
He said the legal dispute addressed fundamental issues concerning internal party democracy, adherence to party constitutions and the regulatory responsibilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to him, the ruling reinforces the principle that political parties must operate within their constitutional frameworks and comply with the Electoral Act.
Bala maintained that political parties are not above their own constitutions, stressing that courts have a responsibility to intervene whenever established procedures for leadership succession are violated.
He argued that where a party’s constitution provides a procedure for the emergence of its leaders, such provisions must be respected to protect democratic governance and uphold the rule of law.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, nullified the Senator David Mark-led executive body and invalidated its actions, including the presidential primary that produced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s candidate for the 2027 general elections.
The court also set aside the appointment of former Interior Minister, Rauf Aregbesola, as National Secretary, removed other national officers, voided all 2027 candidate nominations and directed INEC not to recognise decisions taken at the party’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on July 27, 2025.
The suit was instituted by Bala, a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC for the North-East, who challenged the emergence of Mark and Aregbesola as party leaders following the resignation of former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu.
Bala argued that, as the serving Deputy National Chairman representing the North-East, he was constitutionally entitled to assume interim leadership, making the appointment of the caretaker committee a violation of the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.
The case involved the ADC, INEC, David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola and Ralph Nwosu as defendants. The judgment followed an earlier decision by the Supreme Court dismissing interlocutory appeals and directing the trial court to determine the substantive issues.
Reacting to the wider implications of the ruling, Bala said the verdict would restore public confidence in the judiciary by demonstrating that courts could handle sensitive political disputes without external pressure or influence from prominent individuals.
He also commended his legal team for their representation and thanked his supporters across the country for standing by him throughout the legal battle.