Just In: Supreme Court Reserves Judgment On ADC Leadership Dispute

The Supreme Court on Wednesday reserved judgment in the leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

A five-member panel of the apex court, headed by Justice Mohammed Garba, reserved the matter for judgment after hearing from all parties.

NAIJAONPOINT reports that the appeal, marked SC/CV/180/2026, was filed by Senator David Mark.

The appellant seeks to set aside a March 12 Court of Appeal judgment, which he said was against the interest of justice.

He argued that the appellate court exceeded its jurisdiction by ordering maintenance of the status quo ante bellum in a suit filed by aggrieved party members led by Nafiu-Bala Gombe.

Mark contended that the dispute involves a political party’s domestic affairs, in which courts lack jurisdiction to intervene.

Other respondents in the appeal include ADC National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the immediate past national chairman of the party, Chief Ralph Nwosu.

Mark sought, among other reliefs, an order restraining INEC from recognizing anyone other than him and the current national officers, pending determination of the appeal.

He also requested orders barring INEC from altering the party’s leadership structure as currently constituted and staying proceedings in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025 before Justice Emeka Nwite at the Federal High Court, Abuja, until the appeal is heard.

While adopting their brief of argument, Mark’s legal team, led by Mr. Jubril Okutepa, SAN, insisted the dispute is a non-justiciable internal party matter, as previously held by the Supreme Court.

Although INEC did not file any process to either support or counter the appeal, however, all the other respondents urged the apex court to dismiss it for want of merit.

They maintained that the trial court was properly seized of facts of the case that is still pending before it.

Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.