Nigerian Opposition Party Sues Electoral Body in High-Stakes Battle Over Executive Recognition

A deepening leadership crisis within Nigeria’s opposition has spilled into the federal courts, as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) filed suit against the country’s electoral umpire on Thursday, demanding the immediate recognition of former Osun State official Mark Aregbesola as the party’s substantive national chairman

The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, names the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the sole defendant. Court documents obtained by journalists indicate the ADC is seeking a judicial order compelling INEC to expunge all prior correspondence and administrative dealings with a rival faction led by Chief Ralph Nwosu, and to officially interface solely with the Aregbesola-led National Working Committee.

The legal action marks a significant escalation in the internal wrangling that has plagued the ADC since a contentious national convention earlier this year. The party, which holds seats in several state legislatures and plays a role in Nigeria’s complex coalition politics ahead of the 2027 general elections, has been effectively paralyzed by the dispute over its authentic leadership structure.

Aregbesola, a political heavyweight in the country’s southwestern region and a former aide to ex-Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola, has argued that his election was conducted in strict compliance with the party’s constitution and Nigeria’s electoral act. However, INEC has declined to officially recognize the leadership change, citing ongoing litigation and a failure by the party to resolve its internal factionalism independently.

In the originating summons, the ADC’s legal team contends that INEC’s “continued recognition and engagement with the ousted executive” constitutes a violation of the party’s right to self-determination and threatens its capacity to field candidates for upcoming off-cycle governorship elections.

“The Commission has no statutory power to pick and choose who runs the affairs of a registered political party once due process of internal democracy has been followed,” the suit reads in part. “The failure to recognize the Aregbesola Executive is a grave injustice that exposes the party to ridicule and electoral disadvantage.”

INEC, which oversees the registration and regulation of all 18 political parties in Africa’s most populous democracy, has consistently maintained a policy of non-interference, often citing the legal doctrine of lis pendens—that a matter is already before a court—as justification for maintaining the status quo.

Analysts suggest the outcome of the suit could set a precedent for how Nigeria’s electoral body navigates the thorny terrain of intra-party disputes without falling afoul of judicial overreach. A ruling in favor of Aregbesola would force INEC to actively intervene in party administration, a move the commission has long resisted.

No date has yet been fixed for the hearing. Meanwhile, the rift within the ADC continues to threaten the viability of the party as a third-force alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP).