Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola have strongly opposed Nafiu Bala Gombe’s application to further amend his claims in the ongoing ADC leadership suit, arguing it would cause miscarriage of justice

National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress Senator David Mark and National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola on Tuesday opposed a fresh application by party chieftain Nafiu Bala Gombe to amend his originating summons in the leadership dispute at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

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At the resumed hearing before Justice Peter Lifu, Gombe, former Deputy National Chairman, through counsel Lukman Fagbemi, sought to further amend his claims for the third time. He argued that the law permits amendments before judgment.

Mark, represented by Dr Suleiman Umar, contended that issues had already been joined and that granting the amendment after the defence had been filed would give the plaintiff an unfair advantage.

Aregbesola, through Realwan Okpanachi, alleged that the proposed changes sought to alter the character of the case and introduce new documents, including a signed ADC Constitution, in bad faith.

Aregbesola maintained that the Mark/Aregbesola leadership emerged legitimately from a National Executive Committee meeting on 29 July 2025, after due notice to INEC. He described the amendment attempt as an abuse of court process, especially given the Supreme Court’s order for accelerated hearing.

After listening to arguments from all sides, Justice Lifu reserved ruling on the amendment application for July 7. Gombe is seeking an order restraining Mark, Aregbesola and others from parading themselves as leaders of the ADC, claiming their emergence violated the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.

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The suit, which names the ADC, Mark, Aregbesola, INEC and former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu as defendants, underscores the deepening factional crisis within the party ahead of future elections.