The long-running leadership dispute in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is now in the hands of the Supreme Court, which has reserved judgment in the appeal filed by former Senate President, David Mark, over the party’s internal crisis.
A five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Mohammed Garba, took the decision on Wednesday after lawyers representing all parties adopted their final written submissions.
The case centres on competing claims to the leadership of the ADC and follows a March 12 judgment of the Court of Appeal, which directed all sides to maintain the status quo pending resolution of the matter.
David Mark, who is leading one of the factions, is asking the Supreme Court to overturn the appellate court’s ruling. He argued that the Court of Appeal acted beyond its jurisdiction, maintaining that disputes over party leadership are internal affairs that should not be determined by the courts.
The suit was instituted by a group of aggrieved members led by Nafiu Bala Gombe, who are challenging the legitimacy of the leadership structure associated with Mark’s faction.
Other respondents in the appeal include the African Democratic Congress, its National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu.
In his reliefs, Mark is also seeking an order directing INEC to recognise his faction as the authentic leadership of the party while the case remains unresolved.
However, the respondents urged the Supreme Court to dismiss the appeal, insisting that the lower courts acted within their legal authority and that the existing rulings should stand.
The dispute has already affected the party’s official recognition process, with INEC reportedly removing disputed leadership names from its portal and adopting a neutral stance pending the final court decision.
The Supreme Court is expected to announce a date for judgment in due course.
