The Supreme Court of Nigeria has fixed April 22, 2026, for the hearing of a crucial appeal arising from the protracted leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The appeal was instituted by the party’s National Chairman and former Senate President, David Mark, who is challenging a series of lower court decisions that have deepened the internal dispute over the party’s leadership structure.
A five-member panel of the apex court, presided over by Justice Mohammed Garba, fixed the hearing date on Tuesday after granting an application for accelerated hearing in the appeal marked SC/CV/180/2026. The court’s decision signals the urgency attached to resolving the lingering crisis within the opposition party.
The appeal stems from the March 12, 2026 judgment of the Court of Appeal Nigeria, which dismissed Mark’s earlier appeal contesting the September 4, 2025 ruling of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Abuja Division.
In that earlier ruling, Justice Emeka Nwite declined to grant an injunctive relief sought through an ex parte application filed by ADC chieftain, Nafiu Bala Gombe. The application had sought interim orders affecting the party’s leadership arrangement pending the determination of the substantive suit.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, the Supreme Court directed Mark’s counsel, Jibril Okutepa (SAN), to file and serve the appellant’s brief within a shortened timeframe in line with the accelerated hearing granted. The respondents were equally ordered to file their briefs within three days of service, while the appellant is to file a reply, if necessary, within one day after receiving the respondents’ processes.
The leadership tussle within the ADC has triggered multiple litigations across various courts, with rival factions laying claim to the control of the party, particularly the position of National Chairman.
Political observers note that the Supreme Court’s forthcoming decision could prove decisive in determining the authentic leadership of the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
