The Supreme Court on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, reserved judgement in the leadership crisis affecting the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The apex court reserved the judgement after hearing an appeal filed by the National Chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark.
A five-member panel of the Supreme Court led by Justice Mohammed Garba adjourned for judgement after parties had adopted their final written addresses.
Mark is challenging a March 12 Court of Appeal ruling that ordered all sides to maintain the status quo pending resolution of the crisis.
The former President of the Senate argued that the Court of Appeal overreached itself in its judgement given the fact that the dispute is an internal party matter outside judicial intervention.
The suit was filed by an aggrieved member, Nafiu Bala, who is contesting the legitimacy of the leadership of Senator David Mark as National Chairman and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the former national chairman of the ADC, Mr. Ralph Nwosu were joined in the suits as respondents.
Mark prayed the apex court to restrain INEC from recognising any leadership besides his faction until the appeal is decided.
In the counter argument, Bala through his counsel, urged the Supreme Court to dismiss the appeal, saying that the Court of Appeal acted within its jurisdiction.
Professor Joash Amupitan-led INEC has withheld recognition of the David Mark and Nafiu Bala factions of the ADC by removing the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal pending the outcome of the case in court.
The date for the judgement by the Supreme Court will be communicated to counsels.
