Supreme Court Reserves Judgment in ADC Leadership Dispute

Nigeria’s apex court, the Supreme Court of Nigeria, has reserved judgment in the protracted leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), following arguments from all parties involved.

A five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Garba adjourned the matter for judgment after hearing submissions in the appeal filed by former Senate President, David Mark. The case, marked SC/CV/180/2026, challenges an earlier ruling of the Court of Appeal delivered on March 12.

Mark, who leads a faction of the party, is seeking to overturn the appellate court’s decision, arguing that it was inconsistent with established legal principles. His legal team, headed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Jubril Okutepa, maintained that the dispute concerns internal party affairs, which they contend are beyond judicial intervention.

The appeal stems from a suit initiated by aggrieved party members led by Nafiu-Bala Gombe. Other respondents include the ADC’s National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola; the party itself; the electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); and former national chairman, Ralph Nwosu.

In his filings, Mark is asking the court to restrain INEC from recognising any leadership outside his faction pending the final determination of the appeal. He also seeks an order to halt proceedings in a related case before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Although INEC did not submit arguments for or against the appeal, it had earlier removed Mark and Aregbesola from its official records on April 1, citing the Court of Appeal’s directive to maintain the status quo ante bellum. The commission subsequently stated it would refrain from recognising any faction until the legal dispute is conclusively resolved.

Respondents in the case have urged the Supreme Court to dismiss the appeal, insisting that the lower court acted within its jurisdiction and that the matter remains properly before it.

Meanwhile, proceedings at the Federal High Court have been suspended. Presiding judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, adjourned the case indefinitely, noting that continuing while a related appeal is pending before the Supreme Court would be procedurally improper.