The Supreme Court of Nigeria will on Tuesday, April 14, hear an appeal filed by former Senate President David Mark over the leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Mark, who is contesting his removal as the party’s National Chairman, is seeking a stay of execution of the March 12 judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal.
According to a hearing notice issued by the apex court and obtained in Abuja, the case—marked SC/CV/180/2026—lists Nafiu-Bala Gombe, the ADC, Rauf Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Ralph Nwosu as respondents.
The Supreme Court hearing also coincides with a separate proceeding at the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite.
However, legal observers say the lower court may adjourn or step down its case in deference to the apex court’s authority.
Through his counsel, Mark is asking the court to restrain INEC from recognising any other individuals as ADC’s national leaders pending the determination of his appeal.
He also wants the court to halt any actions that could alter the party’s current leadership structure.
In addition, the former Senate President is seeking an order to stop further proceedings in the ongoing suit at the Federal High Court until the Supreme Court decides the matter.
Mark’s legal team argues that the appeal raises substantial legal issues and warned that failure to grant a stay could render the case ineffective.
Part of the dispute stems from the Court of Appeal’s directive for parties to maintain status quo ante bellum.
They argue Gombe has relied on that order to push INEC to withdraw recognition of the current ADC leadership.
The crisis escalated after INEC, on April 1, removed the names of Mark and Aregbesola from its official portal as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively, in compliance with the appellate court ruling.
In response, Mark approached the Federal High Court, seeking an order compelling the electoral body to restore their names and recognise the existing leadership pending the resolution of the dispute.
The legal battle originated from a suit filed by Gombe, a former ADC Deputy National Chairman, who challenged the legitimacy of Mark and Aregbesola’s emergence as party leaders.
He argued that their appointments violated both the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.
Although the trial court initially declined to grant an interim order against the Mark-led leadership, the matter has since escalated through the appellate courts, setting the stage for a decisive ruling by the Supreme Court.
The outcome of Tuesday’s hearing is expected to have significant implications for the leadership and stability of the ADC ahead of future political activities.
