Supreme Court Delays Verdict in ADC Internal Leadership Battle

The Supreme Court of Nigeria on Wednesday reserved judgment in a high-stakes appeal filed by David Mark, the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, over a protracted leadership tussle within the party.

A five-member panel headed by Justice Garba Mohammed adjourned the matter after counsel to both parties adopted their written briefs of argument.

Counsel to Mark, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, urged the apex court to allow the appeal, arguing that lower courts lacked jurisdiction over internal party affairs. He relied on a previous Supreme Court ruling delivered on March 21, 2025, which held that disputes relating to the internal workings of political parties fall outside the purview of the courts.

However, counsel to the first respondent, Nafiu Gombe, Robert Emukpero, SAN, asked the court to dismiss the appeal. He maintained that Mark’s suit was premature and supported the earlier decision of the lower court.

The dispute stems from an earlier ruling by the Court of Appeal, which dismissed Mark’s appeal against the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court in Abuja. The appellate court had described the appeal as premature and filed without the necessary leave, subsequently returning the case for expedited hearing while directing all parties to maintain the status quo.

Following the ruling, the Independent National Electoral Commission withdrew recognition of Mark’s leadership of the ADC pending the final determination of the party’s authentic leadership.

Dissatisfied with the outcome, Mark approached the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the appellate court’s decision and halt the enforcement of the status quo order.

After hearing submissions, Justice Mohammed announced that judgment has been reserved, with a date to be communicated to the parties.