Nigeria’s Supreme Court has reserved judgment in the leadership dispute rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a case that could shape the party’s future ahead of the 2027 elections.
A five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Mohammed Garba, announced that a date for judgment would be communicated after hearing arguments from all parties.
The appeal was filed by former Senate President David Mark, who leads one faction of the party.
He is challenging a March 12 ruling by the Court of Appeal, which ordered parties in the dispute to maintain the “status quo ante bellum.”
Mark argued that the appeal court “exceeded its jurisdiction” and insisted the matter is an internal party issue that courts should not decide.
The case stems from a suit filed by party member Nafiu-Bala Gombe, who is contesting the legitimacy of the current leadership.
Other respondents include the ADC, National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and former chairman Ralph Nwosu.
Mark is asking the court to restrain INEC from recognising any leadership outside his faction and to stop any changes to the party’s structure until the appeal is decided.
INEC had earlier removed Mark and Aregbesola from its official portal, saying it would not recognise any faction until the dispute is resolved.
Lawyers for the opposing parties urged the Supreme Court to dismiss the appeal, arguing that the lower courts acted properly and that the case still has merit.
The dispute has already stalled related proceedings at the Federal High Court, with a judge warning that continuing the case while the appeal is pending would amount to “judicial rascality.”
The final ruling is expected to determine the legitimate leadership of the ADC and could have major implications for opposition politics in Nigeria ahead of the next general election.
