The faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) aligned with former Senate President David Mark has written to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), urging the Supreme Court to deliver a speedy judgment in the ongoing leadership dispute within the party.
The appeal follows the Supreme Court’s decision last Tuesday to reserve judgment in an appeal filed by Mark challenging the internal crisis rocking the party. The case, which has become a major point of contention within the ADC, is being closely watched due to its implications for the party’s structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In the appeal marked SC/CV/180/2026, Mark is challenging the March 12 ruling of the Court of Appeal, which directed all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum in the dispute. He argued that the appellate court overstepped its jurisdiction by interfering in what he described as internal affairs of a political party.
The leadership crisis traces back to a September 4, 2025 ruling of the Federal High Court, which was later upheld by the Court of Appeal in its March 12 judgment. The suit was originally filed by Nafiu Bala, a factional national chairman of the party, who is contesting the takeover of the ADC structure by the Mark-led faction.
In a letter dated April 28, 2026, and signed by the faction’s counsel, Shaibu Enejoh Aruwa, the Mark group warned that any delay in judgment could jeopardise the party’s participation in the 2027 elections. The letter appealed for urgent judicial intervention, citing the tight election timetable already released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The faction further argued that the absence of a recognised leadership could hinder the party’s compliance with electoral requirements and potentially exclude it from the polls. It stressed that millions of supporters risk being disenfranchised if the matter is not resolved promptly.
The letter also referenced INEC’s revised election timetable and a press release allegedly affecting the party’s leadership recognition, insisting that the ADC’s ability to function effectively depends on the Supreme Court’s decision.
While acknowledging the workload of the apex court, the faction maintained that a delayed judgment could amount to a denial of justice, given the political and electoral implications of the case ahead of the 2027 general elections.
