A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed Friday, May 8, for the hearing of a suit challenging the leadership structure of the African Democratic Congress.

The case was filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe against former Senate President David Mark and several others over a dispute concerning the party’s national leadership.

Trial judge, Emeka Nwite, fixed the date after receiving hearing notices and an application requesting accelerated hearing of the matter.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/1819/2025, also lists former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and former party chairman Ralph Nwosu as defendants.

Counsel to the plaintiff, Luka Musa Haruna, along with other senior lawyers, filed a request dated May 5 urging the court to grant an accelerated hearing following a Court of Appeal directive.

The legal team argued that the case should proceed without further delay after the Supreme Court reportedly dismissed an interlocutory appeal linked to the dispute on April 30, 2026.

Court documents indicate that the application also referenced an earlier Court of Appeal judgment ordering expedited hearing of the substantive matter.

The dispute stems from challenges to the emergence of Mark and Aregbesola as national leaders of the ADC, which Gombe claims violated the party’s constitution and electoral guidelines.

Justice Nwite had previously adjourned the matter indefinitely in April after Gombe requested a pause in proceedings pending the outcome of appellate litigation involving the same leadership tussle.

The court had also declined an earlier application by the Mark-led faction seeking to hear all pending motions alongside the substantive case.

Gombe, a former deputy national chairman of the party, is seeking court orders restraining the current leadership from presenting themselves as valid party executives.

The matter is expected to be heard alongside related motions when proceedings resume on May 8.