ADC Crisis: Supreme Court to Hear David Mark’s Appeal April 14

ADC Crisis: Supreme Court to Hear David Mark’s Appeal April 14

The leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is set for a decisive legal showdown as the Supreme Court prepares to hear an appeal filed by former Senate President, David Mark, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

The appeal challenges the March 12 judgment of the Court of Appeal, which has fueled internal disputes within the party over its national leadership structure.

According to official court documents, the case—marked SC/CV/180/2026—was scheduled following a hearing notice issued by the apex court and circulated to all parties through its Litigation Department.

In the suit, Mark is seeking a stay of execution of the appellate court’s ruling, warning that failure to grant the request could render his appeal ineffective. He is also asking the Supreme Court to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising any leadership outside the current ADC national executives led by him.

The appeal lists Nafiu-Bala Gombe, the ADC, Rauf Aregbesola, INEC, and Ralph Nwosu as respondents in the ongoing legal battle.

Through his counsel, Realwan Okpanachi, Mark argued that the Court of Appeal’s directive for parties to maintain status quo ante bellum has been misinterpreted and used to undermine his leadership.

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He alleged that Gombe has relied on the ruling to pressure INEC into withdrawing recognition of the current party leadership, a move he described as an attempt to enforce the judgment prematurely.

The situation escalated after INEC reportedly removed the names of Mark and Aregbesola from its official portal on April 1, triggering fresh legal actions and intensifying tensions within the party.

In response, Mark approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking an order to compel INEC to restore their names as national chairman and national secretary respectively. The case, assigned to Justice Emeka Nwite, is also scheduled for hearing on April 14.

However, legal experts say proceedings at the lower court may be suspended or adjourned in deference to the Supreme Court, in line with established judicial hierarchy.

The dispute originated from a suit filed by Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC, who is challenging the legality of Mark and Aregbesola’s emergence. He argued that their appointments violated provisions of the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.

Gombe is seeking a court order restraining both men from parading themselves as national officers of the party.

Earlier, Justice Nwite had declined an ex-parte application to halt the Mark-led leadership, instead directing that all parties be put on notice. The matter later moved to the Court of Appeal after the Mark faction challenged the jurisdiction of the lower court.

The appellate court subsequently ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the dispute—an order that has now become a central issue in the ongoing appeal.

Legal analysts say the Supreme Court’s ruling will be crucial in determining the authentic leadership of the ADC and could significantly influence the party’s internal stability ahead of the 2027 general elections.

With the case now before Nigeria’s highest court, stakeholders within and outside the party are watching closely, as the outcome is expected to shape party leadership legitimacy, electoral positioning, and broader political realignments in the country.

ADC Crisis: Supreme Court to Hear David Mark’s Appeal April 14