JUST IN: Court Dismisses Suit Seeking Removal of David Mark, Aregbesola as ADC Leaders

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit seeking the removal of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as National Chairman and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), respectively.

Delivering the ruling on Friday, the judge struck out the suit on the grounds that it concerned the internal affairs of a political party, over which courts lack jurisdiction.

Justice Abdulmalik held in her judgment that membership and leadership within a political party are voluntary, noting that political parties are voluntary associations that operate without compulsion.

She further ruled that party members who feel aggrieved over internal matters should make use of the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms or, if necessary, leave and join another political party.

The judge maintained that disputes relating to party membership and leadership are not justiciable and therefore fall outside the jurisdiction of the courts.