Supreme Court Reserves Judgment in ADC Leadership Case

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court of Nigeria reserved judgment on an appeal filed by David Mark concerning the leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The appeal was heard by a five-member panel led by Justice Moham Garba.

Mark's faction is contesting a March 12 judgment from the Court of Appeal that ordered the ADC to maintain its status quo amid ongoing disputes. Mark argues that the Court of Appeal exceeded its jurisdiction, asserting that the crisis pertains to internal party affairs and that the court lacks the authority to adjudicate the matter initiated by aggrieved party members led by Nafiu Bala.

The appeal also includes responses from the ADC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), with Mark seeking an order to restrain INEC from recognizing the rival faction's leadership until the appeal is resolved. The opposing faction urges the Supreme Court to dismiss the appeal, maintaining that the lower court properly seized the matter, which has already triggered regulatory actions by INEC.