Court dismisses Abejide’s suit, affirms Ralph Nwosu-led NWC

By Precious Mark

The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a suit filed by Leke Joseph Abejide against the African Democratic Congress (ADC), solidifying the position of the Chief Ralph Nwosu-led National Working Committee (NWC) as the party’s authentic leadership and effectively ending a protracted internal tussle.

Ifemi Babaington-Ashaye, the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, noting that the party welcomed the judgment as a clear validation of its stance that leadership disputes are strictly internal, non-justiciable affairs under the Electoral Act 2022.

Justice M. S. Liman, the presiding judge, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to give full recognition to Chief Ralph Nwosu and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) as the duly elected national officers of the party.

Delivering judgment in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, the judge ruled that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter because it bordered strictly on the internal affairs of the political party.

The plaintiff, Abejide, is a prominent ADC chieftain currently serving as the member of the House of Representatives for the Yagba Federal Constituency in Kogi State, and was the party’s standard-bearer in the state’s 2023 gubernatorial election.

The court further held that the case was not a pre-election matter, that the plaintiff lacked the *locus standi* to institute the action, and that he failed to exhaust the mandatory internal dispute resolution mechanisms provided under the ADC Constitution.

Beyond striking out the case on jurisdictional grounds, Justice Liman ruled on the merits of the matter, affirming that the Ralph Nwosu-led NWC was legally constituted. Fines were also awarded against the plaintiff and his legal team to deter future frivolous actions.

“This judgment, once again, affirms our clear position that the issue of leadership remains an internal affair of the party and is therefore not justiciable,” the statement read.

Babaington-Ashaye described the ruling as a victory for multiparty democracy that halts attempts by anti-democratic forces to destabilize the opposition and foist a one-party rule on Nigeria.

The statement further lamented that the legal challenge served as an unnecessary distraction at a time when millions of Nigerians are grappling with worsening insecurity, an unbearable cost of living, and rising unemployment.

The party spokesperson urged faithful members to remain united and focused on providing practical policy alternatives for the country moving forward.