Supreme Court to decide on ADC leadership dispute on Tuesday

The Supreme Court of Nigeria will on Tuesday hear an appeal filed by Senator David Mark over the leadership dispute in the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Senator Mark is seeking an order staying the execution of the March 12 judgment of the Court of Appeal.

The apex court fixed April 14 for the hearing in the appeal marked SC/CV/180/2026 between Mark and Nafiu-Bala Gombe and four others.

The hearing notice was issued by the litigation department of the Supreme Court and sighted in Abuja.

The hearing date coincides with proceedings earlier scheduled before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja. The lower court may step down or adjourn its proceedings in line with the hierarchy of courts.

Mark listed Gombe, the ADC, Rauf Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and Ralph Nwosu as respondents.

Mark, through his lawyer, Realwan Okpanachi, is seeking a stay of execution of the appellate court’s judgment pending the determination of his appeal.

He also asked the court to restrain INEC from recognising any person other than him and the current national officers of the party.

Mark further sought an order restraining INEC from altering the party’s leadership structure pending the appeal. He also prayed the court to stay proceedings in the suit pending before the federal high court.

Okpanachi said the appeal was filed on March 16 following the Court of Appeal judgment delivered on March 12. He said the record of appeal was compiled and transmitted on March 31.

The lawyer said the appeal has been duly entered before the apex court, adding that the Court of Appeal ordered parties to maintain status quo ante bellum.

Okpanachi said Gombe relied on the order to write to INEC, urging it not to recognise Mark and other national officers of the ADC.

“Unless this application is granted, the judgment of the Court of Appeal will be enforced and the appeal rendered nugatory,” he said.

“It is in the interest of justice to preserve the res and protect the authority of this honourable court,” he added

INEC had on April 1 removed the names of Mark and Aregbesola from its portal as national chairman and secretary of the ADC following the Court of Appeal judgment.