Supreme Court: ADC’s place on 2027 ballot in doubt amid leadership dispute

Nigeria’s apex court has reserved judgment in a series of appeals stemming from leadership disputes within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a move that could have significant electoral consequences particularly for the ADC.

The Supreme Court of Nigeria heard arguments from all parties but did not set a date for its ruling. That uncertainty is critical: political parties must submit updated membership registers to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by May 10 to qualify for participation in the 2027 general elections. With fewer than three weeks to that deadline, any delay in judgment could leave the ADC unable to meet the requirement effectively excluding it from the ballot.

While the PDP crisis has already led to court-backed leadership changes, the party retains a recognised structure under a faction supported by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and acknowledged by INEC, pending the final verdict. Earlier rulings nullified the party’s Ibadan convention and upheld the suspension of several officials, including Samuel Anyanwu.

By contrast, the ADC remains deeply fractured, with three rival factions led by David Mark, Nafiu Bala Gombe and Ogga Temitope all currently unrecognised by INEC. The commission has removed the names of Mark and the party’s national secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, from its official records, citing a Court of Appeal ruling and maintaining a neutral stance until the dispute is resolved.

Speaking after the hearing, PDP spokesperson Ini Ememobong said the party expected the judiciary to uphold democratic principles, expressing confidence that the court’s decision would preserve multiparty competition. 

Meanwhile, the Mark-led ADC faction, through its spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi, said it remained optimistic that the court would deliver a swift ruling in its favour.

Mark’s appeal challenges a March 12 Court of Appeal judgment, arguing that the courts overstepped by intervening in what he described as internal party affairs. His legal team is seeking orders to compel INEC to recognise his faction and to halt ongoing proceedings at the Federal High Court until the Supreme Court rules.

However, opposing parties have urged the court to dismiss the appeal, insisting the lower courts acted within their jurisdiction. The Federal High Court has already paused related proceedings indefinitely, citing the pending Supreme Court decision.

With the electoral timetable tightening, the court’s yet-to-be-announced ruling now carries heightened political weight especially for the ADC, whose participation in the next general election may hinge on how quickly the judgment is delivered.