By Sodiq Adelakun
Former Osun State Governor and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, has asked a Federal High Court judge to withdraw from hearing a suit relating to the party’s leadership dispute.
Aregbesola, in a motion filed on June 2, urged Justice Peter Lifu to recuse himself from the case instituted by Nafiu-Bala Gombe, which seeks to stop the Sen. David Mark-led leadership of the ADC from parading itself as the party’s valid executive.
The application, filed just a day before the scheduled hearing, also requested that the matter be returned to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for reassignment to another judge.
In his motion, Aregbesola, through his counsel Mohammed Sheriff, cited a “lack of confidence” in the presiding judge, arguing that circumstances surrounding previous rulings in related matters could create an appearance of bias.
He maintained that the constitution guarantees every litigant the right to an impartial hearing, adding that public confidence in the judiciary must be preserved.
Aregbesola further referenced earlier proceedings involving related parties, where he claimed the court made rulings that raised concerns over fairness and judicial independence.
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He also pointed to an appellate court decision which, according to him, ordered a stay of proceedings after expressing dissatisfaction with earlier actions of the trial court.
“The applicant has no confidence in this court to administer justice in these proceedings,” the motion stated, insisting that the case should be reassigned in the interest of justice.
The suit, filed by Gombe, seeks to restrain David Mark, Aregbesola and other members of the party’s interim National Working Committee from presenting themselves as ADC leaders, alleging violations of the party constitution and the Electoral Act.
The matter is scheduled for hearing on Wednesday as the internal crisis within the ADC continues to deepen ahead of the 2027 general elections.
