The Supreme Court has taken the ADC leadership crisis under advisement, marking the final chapter in a bitter internal feud that has seen the party’s headquarters turn into a legal battlefield.
On Wednesday, Justice Lawal Garba’s panel heard the final arguments from the David Mark camp—the embattled Chairman and former Senate President—who is fighting to overturn a Court of Appeal knockout delivered on March 12.
Why it Matters to You If you were looking for a third-force opposition for the 2027 polls, you might have to wait. The ADC is currently “headless” after INEC pulled the rug out from under both Mark and his rival, Nafiu Bala, in early April.
The Legal Fireworks:
“The appeal was incompetent and based on issues not reflected in the ruling of the trial court,” the Court of Appeal had previously noted—a stance the Mark faction is desperately trying to debunk at the Apex Court.
The Defense Strategy: Mark’s legal team is banking on a “due process” defense. They argue that:
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NEC Supremacy: Under Article 13, the NEC had the right to set up the caretaker committee that put Mark in charge.
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The Waiver: They claim the 2025 resolutions lawfully waived the mandatory two-year membership requirement for leadership roles.
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Prior Validation: They point to the fact that INEC initially recognized them and allowed their April 14 National Convention to proceed.
What’s Next? The Supreme Court’s “reserved judgment” means the ADC remains in a state of suspended animation. Until the gavel falls, the party is legally barred from participating in mainstream political activities, leaving thousands of supporters across the country in the dark.
