ADC Chairmen Threaten David Mark With Contempt Suit
State chairmen of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have threatened to institute contempt proceedings against the party’s national chairman, Senator David Mark, and other principal officers over alleged violation of a Federal High Court order delivered on April 29, 2026.
The court order, issued in Suit No: FHC/CS/581/2026 between Don Norman Obinna and six others versus ADC and six others, unequivocally affirmed that the tenure of the elected state chairmen remains valid and subsisting until a properly convened national convention is held in accordance with the party’s constitution.
The state chairmen, through their counsel Kolawole Olowookere, conveyed their grievances in a strongly worded letter titled: “Re: Demand for Strict Compliance with the Judgement of the Federal High Court Delivered on 29th April, 2026, in Suit No: FHC/CS/581/2026.”
Among the specific allegations against the Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) is the scheduling of a national convention for May 19, 2026, premised on the assumption that the chairmen’s tenure would expire on that date, a position they describe as legally incorrect.
The state chairmen further alleged that the NWC commenced the sale of nomination forms to aspirants without their involvement, authorisation, or consent, a move they insist directly contravenes both the party’s constitution and the subsisting court order.
“We write to draw your attention to the subsisting judgement of the Federal High Court delivered on 29th April, 2026. In the judgement, the court unequivocally recognised and affirmed that the tenure of our clients who are the duly elected state chairmen of the party remain valid and subsisting until the conduct of a valid national convention of the party,” the letter read.
“The legal implications of the judgement is clear and unambiguous. The elected chairmen continue to occupy their offices lawfully until a proper national convention of the party is convened in accordance with the constitution of the party and the order of the court.”
The chairmen warned that continued defiance could carry serious legal consequences, stating: “Any continuous disregard of the said judgement of the Federal High Court may expose the party and its principal officers to contempt proceedings and other appropriate legal actions.”
Beyond the legal dimensions, the chairmen expressed concern that Senator Mark’s actions could damage the party’s electoral prospects ahead of the 2027 general election, arguing that safeguarding the ADC’s competitiveness requires strict adherence to the rule of law.
They urged the national chairman to formally recognise the tenure of all elected state executive committees, halt the ongoing sale of nomination forms, and bring all party activities into full compliance with both the court’s judgement and the ADC constitution.