The Supreme Court is set to deliver judgment today on the leadership disputes in the African Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party, a decision that could redefine both opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ahead of the verdict, the party leaders reportedly held an emergency strategic meeting on Wednesday night where they reviewed possible outcomes of the judgment and charted the next line of action for the opposition coalition.
A political commentator, Imran Wakili, confirmed the meeting on his X handle.
“ADC leaders are currently in an emergency strategic meeting ahead of tomorrow’s Supreme Court ruling on the party’s leadership tussle. The closed door meeting is expected to review possible outcomes of the judgment and chart the next line of action for the opposition coalition which has adopted the ADC as its major political platform ahead of 2027. Notably absent from the ongoing high level consultation are Mr. Peter Obi and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso,” he tweeted.
But in a new development that could further complicate the ADC crisis, a Federal High Court on Wednesday restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising the ADC congresses conducted by the David Marl leadership pending the resolution of the internal disputes in the party.
Reacting to the judgment, the National Chairman, David Mark, in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) by the National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, assured party members that ADC would be on the ballot for all elections in 2027, despite ongoing legal challenges.
Speaking on Wednesday night after receiving a briefing from the party’s legal team on the Federal High Court judgment, Mark dismissed concerns over the litigations involving the party and expressed confidence in a favourable outcome.
“You do not have anything to be afraid of regarding all the litigations before the party.
“I want to assure you that we shall triumph in all the cases, and we shall be on the ballot for every election.
“We are more than prepared and ready for these cases, and we shall do everything within the ambits of the law to surmount every situation.
“In this legal battle, though I am not a lawyer, I will lead from the front, and we shall surely triumph.”
He said the ADC legal team had set in motion the process of appealing the judgment and applied for stay of execution.
Reacting to the verdict, the 2023 ADC Presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, along with state chairmen of the ADC, expressed their support for the ruling, stating they would not allow the hijacking of the party.
On April 22, the Supreme Court concluded hearings on the leadership disputes involving the ADC and PDP.
The five-member panel of the apex court, headed by Justice Mohammed Garba, did not announce a date for judgment after hearing arguments in separate appeals challenging earlier rulings of lower courts on the issue.
Checks by our correspondents on the official website of the apex court on Wednesday indicated that the matters listed under ‘Political Appeals’ have been added to the cause list for Thursday, April 30, 2026.
The PUNCH also confirmed that judgment in the case of the PDP, with appeal number SC/CV/166/2026, and the ADC matter, marked SC/CV/180/2026, has been fixed for 2pm.
The electoral commission earlier set May 10 as the deadline for political parties to submit their membership registers.
It also scheduled the Presidential and National Assembly elections for Saturday, January 16, 2027, while Governorship and State Assembly elections are fixed for Saturday, February 6, 2027.
According to the timetable, party primaries and the resolution of related disputes will run from April 23, 2026, to May 30, 2026.
Campaigns for the Presidential and National Assembly elections are expected to commence on August 19, 2026, while campaigns for Governorship and State Assembly elections are slated to begin on September 9, 2026.
The scheduled rulings come amid mounting political tension and legal manoeuvres over control of party structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The PUNCH reports that the dispute in the ADC centres on a protracted leadership crisis involving Mark, and a rival faction led by Nafiu Gombe.
Mark is challenging the March 12 decision of the Court of Appeal, which directed parties to maintain the status quo in the leadership tussle.
He contended that the appellate court overstepped its bounds, arguing that the dispute is an internal party affair beyond judicial intervention.
The respondents—including the ADC, its National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, the INEC and former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu—urged the apex court to dismiss the appeal, insisting the lower court acted within its jurisdiction.
The case was heard on April 22 by a five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Garba, which subsequently reserved judgment.
In a move that underscored the stakes, counsel for the ADC had earlier written to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, urging the court to deliver judgment within three days.
In the letter dated April 28, 2026, the law firm of S.E. Aruwa (SAN) & Co. warned that any delay could jeopardise the party’s participation in the 2027 polls.
They raised concerns over actions by INEC, alleging that the commission had acted on a lower court ruling to “remove or de-recognise the leadership” of the party.
According to them, the development has left the ADC “without leadership at the moment, even though the ADC remains a recognised registered political party in Nigeria.”
The lawyers further linked the urgency to the electoral timetable already released by INEC, stressing that compliance with statutory requirements for the 2027 elections depends on the outcome of the appeal.
“The ADC’s ability to comply with these statutory requirements to participate in the 2027 general elections is wholly dependent on the timely delivery of the judgment in the instant Appeal,” they said.
They warned that failure to deliver judgment promptly could expose the party to “grave and irreversible risk” of exclusion from the polls, adding that such a scenario would disenfranchise millions of its supporters.
“Justice delayed, in this particular circumstance, would amount to justice denied,” the counsel added, noting that the “entire political future” of the party hangs in the balance.
Expected at the Supreme Court today are Mark, Abdullahi, and other ADC bigwigs.
Also expected are members of the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde’s camp of the PDP, led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN), National Secretary, Taofeek Arapaja, former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu, Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, and others, are also expected to witness the proceedings
From the camp of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, those expected at the apex court include the National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed; National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; National Organising Secretary, Umaru Bature; and former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido.
Earlier, the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday restrained INEC from recognising or participating in any congress organised by a disputed caretaker leadership of the ADC.
The FHC, in a judgment delivered by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, also barred former Senate President, Mark, and other prominent figures in the party from interfering with the functions and tenure of the elected state executives.
The ruling is the latest development in the festering leadership dispute within the ADC, with clear implications for the control of party structures ahead of future political activities.
The case arose from an originating summons filed by Norman Obinna and six others on behalf of state chairpersons and executive committees of the party.
The plaintiffs challenged the legality of actions taken by a caretaker or interim national leadership, particularly the move to organise state congresses through an appointed committee.
They argued that the caretaker body lacked the constitutional authority to organise such congresses or to appoint any committee for that purpose.
According to them, only duly elected party organs recognised under the party’s constitution possess the power to conduct congresses.
The plaintiffs, therefore, asked the court to affirm the tenure of the state executive committees and restrain any parallel processes that could undermine their authority.
In resolving the dispute, Justice Abdulmalik held that the claims brought before the court were valid and deserving of judicial consideration, especially in view of alleged breaches of constitutional and statutory provisions.
She stated that she found “the issue in the originating summons meritorious.”
The judge framed the central issue as whether the second to sixth defendants, including Mark, had the constitutional or statutory authority to assume the powers of elected state organs of the ADC, whose tenure is guaranteed under the party’s constitution.
She relied on section 223 of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates political parties to conduct periodic elections based on democratic principles, as well as Article 23 of the ADC Constitution, which provides that national and state officers shall hold office for a maximum of two terms spanning eight years.
According to her, “the question is whether there is any infraction committed by Mr Mark and co-defendants when they convened meetings and appointed a body known as a congress committee to organise state congresses.”
On the defence raised by the defendants that the matter was an internal affair of a political party and therefore outside the jurisdiction of the court, the judge acknowledged the settled legal position but clarified its limits.
She held that while courts are generally reluctant to interfere in internal party matters, they will intervene where there is a clear allegation of violation of constitutional or statutory provisions.
“The law is settled that courts will not interfere. However, where there is an allegation of breach of constitutional or statutory provisions, the court has a duty to intervene,” she ruled.
“Where a party alleges that its constitution has been violated, the court is bound to adjudicate. Any argument that this court lacks jurisdiction on that basis fails,” she added.
Abdulmalik stressed that political parties must operate strictly within the confines of their constitutions, noting that any deviation from prescribed procedures, particularly in leadership matters, cannot be justified under the guise of internal autonomy.
She found that the procedure adopted by the defendants, including the appointment of a “congress committee,” was not recognised by the ADC constitution and therefore invalid.
Consequently, the court held that the tenure of the state executive committees remains valid and must be allowed to run its full course without interference.
The judge further ruled that only those elected structures have the authority to organise state congresses, effectively nullifying any process initiated by the caretaker leadership.
In a set of far-reaching orders, the court set aside the appointment of the congress committee and restrained INEC from recognising any congress organised by it.
The court also restrained Mark and the other defendants from organising congresses or conventions outside the provisions of the party’s constitution.
Additionally, they were barred from taking any steps capable of undermining or disrupting the authority of the state executive committees.
The PUNCH reports that the plaintiffs, led by Obinna, instituted the suit in a representative capacity on behalf of ADC state chairmen and executive committees across the country.
The defendants in the matter include the ADC, David Mark, Patricia Akwashiki, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Oserheimen Osunbor, and INEC.
In their submissions, the plaintiffs challenged the legality of the caretaker or interim national working committees and urged the court to restrain INEC from recognising or participating in any congress conducted under such arrangements.
They maintained that under both the ADC constitution and the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the tenure of state executive committees subsists until valid congresses are conducted in accordance with laid-down procedures.
They further argued that any attempt to bypass the elected structures undermines internal party democracy and erodes the rule of law within the party.
However, the defendants opposed the suit through preliminary objections, counter-affidavits and written addresses.
Reacting, Kachikwu backed the judgment, saying it was long overdue.
He said, “I had long warned that the ADC is not for sale and that these political buccaneers would be shown the way out through the same back door they came in from.
“With this judgment, it has become clear that these desperados who attempted to hijack our party have failed woefully. We are aware that they are shopping for other parties to destroy and wish them bon voyage.
“To our party faithful, I urge you to remain vigilant. The battle is not over till it is over. The ADC will be on next year’s ballot, and any Nigerian who genuinely desires to salvage Nigeria should see the ADC as a ready home. We shall overcome.”
Also speaking, the Chairman of the ADC state chairmen, Kingsley Oggah, described the judgment as a relief and a validation of their position.
“We see today’s court judgment as a blessing because what we have been fighting for has been resolved. We don’t want this party to die because we have laboured so much and spent time that can’t be quantified building it.
“But a few people, because of their selfish interest, are trying so hard to destroy the ADC. That is what we will not accept. It is also the main reason we are fighting to keep the party together.
“We don’t want to lose this party. If we cannot get our acts together, we can’t field candidates in the next election, and INEC has threatened that if we cannot win elections, the party will be deregistered. So, should we fold our arms and watch helplessly?”
But Bolaji Abdullahi, in a statement on Wednesday, said Mark’s leadership has ordered its legal team to review the judgment.
The statement read, “The attention of the African Democratic Congress has been drawn to media reports that the Federal High Court, presided over by Hon. Justice Joyce O. Abdulmalik, has sacked the elected, but yet to be inaugurated, state chairmen of our party.
“It will be recalled that we issued a statement shortly after the congresses stating that the congresses have not truncated the tenure of the current State Executive, which would run its full course before the newly elected State Executives are inaugurated.
“Nevertheless, the leadership of ADC has instructed its legal team to review the said judgment and advise the party appropriately.”
The founding National Chairman of the ADC, Ralph Nwosu, insisted that the 2027 general elections cannot be conducted by the INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, if his party is not included on the ballot.
Speaking on Wednesday in Abuja at the party’s National Secretariat during the ADC Youths Champion and Prospective Legislative Summit, Nwosu said the opposition party had already gathered the figures and support needed to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
The ex-chair affirmed that the coalition had delivered remarkable gains for the party, adding that as of Tuesday evening, some serving senators from the ruling APC and other parties were still in talks with ADC leaders about joining the party.
He further maintained that the coalition followed due process in taking over the ADC and did nothing wrong, blaming the party’s current challenges on the culture of impunity in Nigerian politics.
“The culture in place is dirty. It’s very difficult to change the culture, but we will continue working very hard to do so once we are determined. You don’t need a million people to do it; you just need a few determined minds.
“With the number we have today in ADC, what we have achieved by the coalition is phenomenal, and no matter how anybody thinks they can knock this down, they cannot. To knock this down will be almost like knocking our democracy down, and God will not allow that. We have put enough strategies in place to ensure that it doesn’t happen.
“But what you may hear happening and see happening now is that when people in power, especially in third world countries, people who love impunity and feel that they can play God, are in power, they would try everything, especially when it’s clear to them that their time is over. The time is over for Tinubu politically, and he must go. The time is over for Akpabio (Senate President), and they must go.”
Nwosu claimed the ADC has 5 million members and would use its strength to end President Tinubu’s rule in 2027.
He continued, “The statistics are already there on our portal. I think we’re already recording over 5 million people who are desirous of paying money to become members of ADC. By the time the registration closes, if it has not closed by today, we will have a minimum of 11 million people who are ready to contribute money.
“Despite the challenges the government in place is deliberately throwing at us, yesterday, some senators decided they are joining the ADC. All I know is that Tinubu and Amupitan cannot conduct any election in this country if ADC is not on the ballot.”
Earlier in his remarks, the ADC National Youth Leader, Balarabe Rufai, said the 35 per cent affirmative action for youths and women must move beyond mere declarations.
Rufai stated that the ADC leadership under David Mark should not advocate inclusion while excluding members, particularly the youth constituency.
“As we approach our party primaries, let it be stated without hesitation or ambiguity: The Constitution of the African Democratic Congress has already settled the question of inclusion, and its provisions are sacrosanct and non-negotiable.’’
“About 10–15 State Houses of Assembly slots per state are designated for young people. These are not promises, they are not political conveniences, they are enforceable commitments.”
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