The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, October 3, 2025, declined to hear a motion filed by Dumebi Kachikwu, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) 2023 presidential candidate, challenging the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) recognition of Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as the party’s national chairman and secretary, respectively.
Justice James Omotosho refused to entertain the motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1331/2025, filed by Kachikwu’s counsel, Dayo Akinlaja (SAN).
The motion sought to compel INEC to withdraw its recognition of Mark, a former Senate President, and Aregbesola, a former Osun State governor, as ADC leaders, pending the resolution of the main suit.
Kachikwu and four co-plaintiffs, Adikwu Elias, Etimbuk Umoh, Muhammed Khala, and Alaku Godwin William filed the suit on July 7, naming INEC, ADC, Chief Ralph Nwosu, Mark, and Aregbesola as defendants.
Akinlaja argued that INEC’s recognition of Mark and Aregbesola, despite the ongoing suit, violated the doctrine of lis pendens.
The plaintiffs requested the court to nullify the recognition and restrain Nwosu, Mark, and Aregbesola from acting as ADC national officers.
However, Justice Omotosho declined to address the interlocutory motion, stating, “This is a political case.
I am not taking any interlocutory matter.” He ruled that all filings, including preliminary objections, would be considered alongside the substantive case.
The court also granted a joinder application by ADC deputy national secretary Nkemakolam Ukandu, adding him as a defendant.
The plaintiffs were directed to file amended processes within 48 working hours, with the defense given seven days to respond. The case was adjourned to October 23, 2025, for hearing.
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