The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday 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 judgment, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik held that the matter concerned the internal affairs of a political party, an area over which the court lacks jurisdiction.

The judge ruled that political parties are voluntary associations and that issues relating to their membership and leadership are not matters for judicial intervention.

According to her, aggrieved members of a political party should utilise the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms to address their grievances. She added that dissatisfied members also have the option of leaving the party to join another if they are unable to resolve their concerns internally.

Justice Abdulmalik further emphasised that disputes bordering on party membership and leadership are not justiciable and, therefore, cannot be entertained by the courts.

The ruling effectively puts an end to the legal challenge seeking the removal of Mark and Aregbesola from their respective leadership positions within the ADC.