On Friday, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a lawsuit filed by Dumebi Kachikwu, a former presidential candidate, aimed at contesting the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), headed by Senator David Mark.
The ADC expressed satisfaction with the court's decision, which dismissed Kachikwu’s suit and that of four other co-plaintiffs regarding the party's governance.
Justice Abdulmalik stated that the court had no jurisdiction over matters pertaining to the internal affairs of a political party.
Kachikwu, along with co-plaintiffs Adikwu Elias, Etimbuk Umoh, Muhammad Khala, and Alakum William, brought the case against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), ADC, Chief Ralph Nwosu, Senator David Mark, and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, seeking their removal from office.
The legal action, numbered FHC/ABJ/CS /1331/2025, was initiated last year, while the ADC's National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, was later included as an interested party on October 3, 2025.
Ukandu had submitted a petition to both Justice Abdulmalik and Chief Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court to alert the National Judicial Council (NJC) about concerns he raised regarding alleged bias in the handling of the case.
Furthermore, Ukandu took legal action against both justices at the Federal High Court and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in an attempt to have Justice Abdulmalik recuse herself from the proceedings.
In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik emphasized that issues related to party membership and leadership are voluntary, advocating for internal mechanisms within political parties to resolve grievances, or alternatively, the option for disaffected individuals to leave and join other parties.
She highlighted that cases relating to party governance and membership are generally non-justiciable and thus not subject to the court's intervention.
It is noteworthy that the opposition coalition appointed David Mark, a former Senate president, and Rauf Aregbesola, a former governor of Osun State, as interim National Chairman and Secretary respectively last July.
In response to the ruling, the ADC's National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, labeled the judgment a triumph for the rule of law and encouraged both citizens and political figures who have remained indecisive to join the party as part of its ongoing online registration initiative.
Additionally, Abdullahi urged the judiciary to maintain its non-partisan stance for the sake of democracy, affirming that the ADC will actively resist any efforts to destabilize the party and undermine its internal operations.
The ADC regarded the Federal High Court's ruling, overseen by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, as a win for democracy and the legal right of political parties to govern their internal matters without unwarranted interference.
According to the ADC’s spokesperson, this ruling reaffirms the principle that political parties are constitutionally entitled to manage their internal affairs legitimately.
The ADC acknowledged the judiciary's adherence to the rule of law while remaining cautious of the current ruling party's intentions for the upcoming 2027 elections.
In closing, Abdullahi articulated a call to action for citizens and leaders who have yet to take a stand, stressing the urgent need for a robust and credible opposition. He reassured that the ADC is committed to providing a viable alternative and restoring faith in Nigeria’s democratic framework.
He urged those who support democratic renewal and responsible governance to register through www.adcregistration.ng and engage actively in the movement to revitalize the nation.
He asserted that the ADC will steadfastly uphold its integrity against any attempts to derail its democratic processes and remain focused on developing a strong political institution capable of offering credible alternatives to the Nigerian populace and restoring optimism in the democratic system.
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