The Supreme Court has scheduled Thursday, April 30, to deliver its long-awaited judgment in the leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The case, which has deepened divisions in the opposition party, was earlier heard by a five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Garba. After both sides adopted their final written arguments, the court reserved judgment now fixed for 2pm on Thursday.
At the centre of the dispute is a power struggle between factions within the party. One group, led by former Senate President David Mark, is challenging a March 12 ruling by the Court of Appeal, which directed all parties to maintain the status quo
Mark argues that the appellate court overstepped its bounds, insisting the matter is an internal party issue that the courts should not be deciding.
On the other side are aggrieved members led by Nafiu Bala Gombe, who are questioning the legitimacy of the current leadership.
Other parties involved in the suit include the ADC itself, its National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and former national chairman Ralph Nwosu.
Mark is asking the Supreme Court to stop INEC from recognising any leadership outside his faction until the matter is fully resolved.
But the opposing side has urged the court to dismiss his appeal, arguing that the lower court acted within its authority.
The urgency around the case has grown in recent days. In a letter dated April 28, lawyers representing the Mark-led faction warned that delays in delivering judgment could have serious consequences.
They argued that without a clear leadership structure, the party risks being shut out of preparations for the 2027 general elections.
According to them, INEC has already moved to withdraw recognition of the party’s leadership following the earlier court ruling leaving the ADC in a precarious position.
“The party’s ability to meet electoral requirements now depends on a timely judgment,” the letter stated, adding that millions of supporters could be affected if the situation is not resolved quickly.
With election timelines already underway, Thursday’s ruling is expected to be decisive not just for the party’s leadership, but for its political future.
