ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Supreme Court of Nigeria has scheduled Thursday, April 30, to deliver judgment in the leadership dispute rocking the African Democratic Congress, a case with major implications for the party’s future participation in the 2027 general elections.
The apex court confirmed that the ruling will be delivered at 2pm, bringing anticipation to a legal battle that has created uncertainty within the opposition party’s structure.
The case stems from a prolonged internal crisis involving rival factions within the ADC, with competing claims over the legitimate leadership of the party.
A five-member panel of the court, led by Mohammed Garba, had earlier reserved judgment after all parties adopted their final written submissions.
At the centre of the dispute is a faction led by former Senate President David Mark, who is challenging a previous ruling of the Court of Appeal delivered on March 12.
The appellate court had ordered all parties involved in the dispute to maintain the status quo, a decision that Mark’s faction argues exceeded the jurisdiction of the court.
Mark contends that the crisis is an internal party matter that should not be subject to judicial intervention, insisting that courts lack the authority to determine leadership issues within political parties.
The legal action was initiated by aggrieved members of the party led by Nafiu Bala Gombe, who are contesting the legitimacy of the leadership under Mark’s faction.
Other respondents in the case include the ADC itself, its National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and former national chairman Ralph Nwosu.
Mark is also seeking an order restraining INEC from recognising any leadership outside his faction pending the final determination of the appeal.
However, the respondents have urged the Supreme Court to dismiss the appeal, maintaining that the lower court acted within its jurisdiction in addressing the dispute.
Tension around the case intensified after the Mark-led faction wrote to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, warning that delays in delivering judgment could have serious political consequences.
In the letter dated April 28, the faction argued that failure to deliver judgment promptly could leave the ADC at risk of being excluded from participating in the 2027 general elections.
The faction further claimed that such an outcome would effectively disenfranchise millions of Nigerians who identify with the party and intend to contest elections under its platform.
According to the letter, INEC has already taken steps to de-recognise the party’s leadership based on the lower court ruling, leaving the ADC without a clearly recognised leadership structure.
The party also referenced the electoral timetable released by INEC, noting that preparations for the 2027 elections are already underway and require a properly recognised leadership to meet statutory obligations.
Legal analysts say the Supreme Court’s decision will be crucial not only in resolving the internal crisis but also in determining the ADC’s readiness to participate in the next electoral cycle.
As the judgment date approaches, political stakeholders are closely watching the case, given its potential impact on opposition dynamics and electoral competition ahead of 2027.
