The faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President David Mark has formally petitioned the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, seeking an expedited ruling from the Supreme Court on the party’s lingering leadership dispute.
The appeal, marked SC/CV/180/2026, was heard by the Supreme Court of Nigeria on April 22, 2026, with judgment reserved for a later date. However, the Mark-led faction has expressed concern over delays, warning of severe political consequences if the verdict is not delivered promptly.
At the heart of the dispute is a protracted leadership tussle within the African Democratic Congress. Mark, in his appeal, argued that the Court of Appeal overstepped its jurisdiction by вмешing in what he described as the internal affairs of a political party.
The appellate court had, on March 12, upheld an earlier ruling by the Federal High Court delivered on September 4, 2025. That case was initiated by Nafiu Bala, who is contesting the takeover of the party leadership by the Mark faction.
In a letter dated April 28, 2026, and signed by ADC counsel Shaibu Enejoh Aruwa, the faction warned that failure to deliver judgment within three days could jeopardize the party’s participation in the 2027 general elections.
The letter revealed that the Independent National Electoral Commission has already acted on the lower court’s judgment by withdrawing recognition of the party’s leadership, effectively leaving the ADC without a valid leadership structure despite remaining a registered political party.
According to the faction, this development poses a direct threat to the party’s ability to meet key requirements outlined in INEC’s timetable for the 2027 elections. They argued that without a clear leadership validated by the Supreme Court, the party risks exclusion from the electoral process.
The Mark-led group further warned that such an outcome would disenfranchise millions of Nigerians who identify with the ADC and wish to contest or vote under its platform.
Citing the urgency of the situation, the letter stressed that while the court faces significant responsibilities, a delay in this instance could amount to a denial of justice, with far-reaching implications for democratic participation and political representation.
