By Our Correspondent

National News – The Federal High Court in Abuja has indefinitely adjourned a leadership dispute involving the African Democratic Congress after a party chieftain challenged the emergence of former Senate President David Mark and ex-Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as leaders of the party.

The case, filed by ADC member Nafiu Bala Gombe, was heard on Friday before Justice Emeka Nwite.

The plaintiff is seeking an order restraining Mark, Aregbesola and others from presenting themselves as leaders of the opposition party, arguing that their appointments violated the ADC constitution and provisions of the Electoral Act.

During proceedings, the plaintiff’s counsel, Luka Musa Haruna, informed the court that the Supreme Court had dismissed an earlier interlocutory appeal filed by Mark on April 30, 2026.

According to him, the apex court also lifted the Court of Appeal’s order that previously halted proceedings in the substantive suit.

Haruna further disclosed that the plaintiff had written to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court requesting that the case be reassigned to another judge.

He asked the court to suspend further action pending the administrative decision on the request.

Lawyers representing the defendants opposed the application, accusing the plaintiff of attempting to delay the matter and frustrate the accelerated hearing earlier ordered by the appellate courts.

Defence counsel described the move as an ambush and alleged “judge shopping.”

Justice Nwite ruled that the court could not act on the request without hearing all parties involved.

He stated that the letter was addressed to the Chief Judge and that making any decision without proper procedure could breach the defendants’ right to fair hearing.

The judge subsequently adjourned the matter indefinitely to allow parties file the Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court judgment, serve all parties with the transfer request and await further directives from the Chief Judge.