The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed Friday, May 8, 2026, for hearing in a politically sensitive case challenging the leadership structure of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The suit, filed by former ADC National Deputy Chairman Nafiu-Bala Gombe, is directed at Senator David Mark and other party leaders over an ongoing dispute on who legitimately controls the party’s national leadership.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, is being heard before Justice Emeka Nwite.

The court date was set after Gombe’s legal team requested an accelerated hearing, following recent legal developments that reshaped the trajectory of the dispute.

According to court filings, the request was triggered after the Supreme Court dismissed an interlocutory appeal previously filed by Mark on April 30, 2026.

Gombe’s lawyers argued that with that appeal resolved, the case should proceed without further delay.

In their application, the legal team—led by senior advocates—stressed that earlier appellate decisions had already directed an accelerated hearing of the matter.

They urged the court to act swiftly, noting that hearing notices had already been issued to all parties involved.

The dispute itself centres on the legitimacy of the current leadership structure within the ADC.

Gombe is asking the court to restrain Mark, who is listed as the party’s national chairman, along with National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola and others, from continuing to present themselves as leaders of the party.

Also joined in the suit are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and former ADC National Chairman Ralph Nwosu.

At the core of the disagreement is a claim that the emergence of the current leadership violated both the ADC constitution and provisions of the Electoral Act.

Before this latest development, the case had been adjourned indefinitely (sine die) on April 14 after Gombe requested that proceedings be paused pending a Supreme Court decision.

The court had also previously declined a request from the Mark-led faction seeking to hear all pending motions immediately, including the substantive suit.

With the Supreme Court now having ruled on the interlocutory appeal, the matter is back before the Federal High Court for full consideration.

The leadership dispute reflects a broader pattern in Nigerian politics, where internal party disagreements often escalate into prolonged legal battles over control, legitimacy, and structure.

As the case resumes on May 8, attention will be on whether the court will move quickly to resolve the leadership question or whether further procedural delays will arise.

For now, the ADC leadership battle remains unresolved—returning once again to the courtroom, where its political future may ultimately be decided.