ABUJA — A fresh twist has emerged in the leadership crisis rocking the Action Democratic Congress, ADC, after the Supreme Court of Nigeria dismissed an application filed by former Senate President, David Mark.
The application sought to halt the enforcement of a Court of Appeal judgment that prompted the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to withdraw recognition of his leadership of the party.
Specifically, the application was struck out after Mark’s lawyer, Jibril Okutekpa, SAN, withdrew the request during Tuesday’s proceedings.
The five-member panel of the apex court was led by Justice Lawal Garba.
Why Mark Went to Supreme Court
During the hearing, Okutekpa told the court that INEC’s interpretation of the Court of Appeal judgment delivered on March 12 had created a leadership vacuum within the ADC.
As a result, he argued, the party was effectively left “leaderless.”
In addition, he said an existing injunction directing parties to maintain the status quo antebellum had further complicated the internal crisis within the party.
Court Dismisses Application, Fast-Tracks Appeal
Following the withdrawal, the Supreme Court formally dismissed the application.
However, the court issued procedural directives aimed at speeding up the hearing of the main appeal.
The justices cited the case’s urgency and the potential implications for preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
To fast-track the process, the court shortened the timelines for filing legal briefs and responses.
Consequently, it fixed April 22, 2026, for the substantive hearing of the case.
Origin of the ADC Leadership Dispute
The dispute originates from a lawsuit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC.
In the suit, he is challenging the legitimacy of the party’s current leadership structure involving Rauf Aregbesola and David Mark.
Gombe is asking the court to restrain both men from presenting themselves as leaders of the Party.
Furthermore, he wants INEC stopped from recognising their leadership.
INEC Delists Mark, Aregbesola
After the earlier ruling by the Court of Appeal, INEC reportedly removed the names of Mark and Aregbesola from its official portal.
They were listed as National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC.
According to reports, INEC cited the court’s directive to maintain the status quo.
Uncertainty Continues for ADC
With the Supreme Court now set to hear the substantive appeal, the leadership battle within the Action Democratic Congress remains unresolved.
Therefore, the Party is facing continued uncertainty ahead of future political contests.
At the moment, the ADC remains without INEC-recognised leadership until the April 22 hearing determines the next step.
