The Supreme Court of Nigeria on Wednesday reserved judgment in the lingering leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), following arguments from all parties involved in the dispute.
A five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Mohammed Garba, announced that judgment would be delivered at a later date after hearing submissions in the appeal marked SC/CV/180/2026.
The appeal was filed by David Mark, who is leading one of the factions in the embattled opposition party. Mark is challenging the March 12 judgment of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria, which ordered parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum—a directive that effectively halted changes to the party’s leadership structure pending the resolution of the case.
Mark, through his legal team led by Mr. Jubril Okutepa (SAN), argued that the appellate court overstepped its jurisdiction. He maintained that the dispute is an internal party affair and, as such, not justiciable under Nigerian law, citing previous decisions of the apex court on similar matters.
The case originated from a suit instituted by aggrieved ADC members led by Nafiu-Bala Gombe, who are contesting the legitimacy of the current leadership structure.
Other respondents in the appeal include the ADC, its National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the party’s immediate past national chairman, Ralph Nwosu.
Among the reliefs sought, Mark is asking the Supreme Court to restrain INEC from recognising any leadership other than his faction pending the final determination of the appeal. He also requested an order preventing the electoral body from altering the ADC’s current leadership structure and sought a stay of proceedings in a related case before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Despite not filing any formal response either in support or opposition to the appeal, INEC had earlier taken steps that significantly impacted the dispute. On April 1, the commission removed Mark and Aregbesola from its official portal as national chairman and secretary of the ADC, respectively, citing compliance with the Court of Appeal’s directive to maintain the status quo.
INEC further stated it would refrain from recognising any faction of the party until the courts conclusively resolve the matter.
Meanwhile, the respondents urged the apex court to dismiss Mark’s appeal, insisting that the lower court was properly seized of the matter and that the issues raised remain within the jurisdiction of the trial court.
The legal tussle has also stalled proceedings at the Federal High Court. On April 14, Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned indefinitely the substantive suit filed by the Gombe-led faction, citing the pending appeal before the Supreme Court.
Justice Nwite held that continuing with the case would amount to “judicial rascality,” given the overlapping issues already before the apex court.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding its leadership, the ADC has indicated its intention to proceed with its planned national convention, setting the stage for further developments as stakeholders await the Supreme Court’s final verdict.
