Supreme Court to hear David Mark’s Appeal over ADC leadership crisis April 14

The Supreme Court of Nigeria will on Tuesday hear an appeal filed by the embattled National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark.

Mark is seeking an order staying the execution of the March 12 judgment of the Court of Appeal in the ongoing leadership tussle within the party.

According to a hearing notice with appeal number SC/CV/180/2026, the matter between Mark and Nafiu-Bala Gombe alongside four others is scheduled for April 14.

The notice, sent to parties through the Litigation Department of the Supreme Court, was reportedly sighted in Abuja on Sunday.

The hearing date coincides with an earlier date fixed by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, where a related matter is also pending.

However, judicial sources indicated that the lower court may step down or adjourn its proceedings in deference to the apex court, in line with the hierarchy of courts.

Mark, the appellant, listed Gombe, ADC, Rauf Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Ralph Nwosu as respondents in the case.

Through his lawyer, Realwan Okpanachi, Mark is asking the court to restrain INEC from recognising any persons other than himself and the existing national officers of the party pending the determination of the appeal.

He is also seeking an order preventing INEC from tampering with the party’s current leadership structure and a stay of proceedings in the pending suit before Justice Nwite.

Mark argued that unless the application is granted, the Court of Appeal judgment may be enforced in a manner that would render his appeal ineffective.

INEC had on April 1 removed the names of Mark and Aregbesola from its official portal as ADC National Chairman and National Secretary respectively, following the Court of Appeal ruling.

The crisis began after Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the party, challenged the emergence of Mark and Aregbesola, alleging that their appointments violated the party constitution and the Electoral Act.

The dispute has since deepened, with multiple court actions and rival claims to the party’s leadership ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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