Supreme Court Reserves Judgment on ADC Leadership Crisis

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court of Nigeria reserved judgment on the leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC). A five-member panel, led by Justice Emeka Nwite, heard the appeal filed by Mark's faction, which challenges a previous Court of Appeal decision regarding the party's leadership.

The appeal arises from a suit where former Deputy National Chairman Lai claimed the party's national chairmanship position. Mark's faction sought to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing any current national officers pending the determination of the appeal.

The appeal court had issued a status quo order, stating that INEC should not recognize any faction involved in the leadership tussle until the matter is resolved. Mark's legal team, led by Jubril Okutepa SAN, argued that the dispute is a non-justiciable internal party matter.

The Supreme Court's decision will clarify the leadership structure of the ADC and its recognition by INEC.