Aregbesola Seeks Judge Withdrawal in ADC Leadership Suit

Rauf Aregbesola has filed a motion requesting Justice Lifu to withdraw from a legal suit concerning the leadership of the ADC, which is led by David Mark. The suit, filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, seeks to restrain Mark's leadership and claims that Aregbesola and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) are the legitimate leaders of the party.

The Federal High Court, presided over by Chief Judge John Tsoho, has scheduled a hearing for June 1. Aregbesola's motion, filed on June 2, argues that the judge's impartiality is compromised across seven grounds, referencing the 1999 Constitution's guarantee of a fair hearing.

The case has been reassigned from Justice Emeka Nwite, who was among 12 judges nominated for elevation to the Court of Appeal by President Bola Tinubu. The suit also involves former ADC National Chairman Ralph Nwosu as a defendant, and it follows a recent ADC national convention where Dumebi Kachikwu emerged as the presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.