The Supreme Court of Nigeria has reserved judgment in the ongoing leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), following arguments presented by all parties involved.
A five-member panel led by Mohammed Garba announced that a date for judgment would be communicated later after hearing submissions in the appeal marked SC/CV/180/2026.
The case was instituted by a factional National Chairman of the party, David Mark, who is challenging his removal from the position. His action followed a decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw recognition of his leadership.
INEC’s move was based on an earlier ruling by the Court of Appeal, which stemmed from a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the party. Gombe is contesting the chairmanship position and had sought to restrain Mark, the party’s National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, and others from presenting themselves as ADC leaders.
The electoral body subsequently removed the names of Mark and Aregbesola from its official portal, citing a “status quo” order issued by the appellate court. It also stated that it would refrain from recognising any faction within the party until the legal dispute is conclusively resolved.
In his appeal, Mark is asking the apex court to compel INEC to recognise him and the current set of national officers pending the determination of the case. He is also seeking to stop the commission from making further alterations to the party’s leadership structure.
Additionally, he requested a stay of proceedings in a related suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Emeka Nwite, until the Supreme Court rules on the matter.
During proceedings, Mark’s legal counsel, led by Jubril Okutepa (SAN), argued that the dispute is an internal party issue and therefore not subject to judicial intervention, citing previous Supreme Court decisions.
However, other respondents in the case urged the court to dismiss the appeal, describing it as lacking merit. Notably, INEC did not file any formal response either in support of or against the appeal.
The appeal specifically challenges the March 12 judgment of the Court of Appeal, with Mark’s faction contending that the lower court overstepped its jurisdiction by ordering the maintenance of the status quo in a matter they insist falls within the internal affairs of the party.
Other respondents listed in the suit include the ADC itself, Aregbesola, INEC, and the party’s former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu.
