BREAKING: Supreme Court bows to pressure, to deliver judgments in ADC, PDP leadership disputes Thursday

The Supreme Court of Nigeria is set to deliver judgments in two high-profile political appeals involving leadership crises within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

According to the court’s official cause list, the matters, categorised under “Political Appeals,” are scheduled for hearing on Thursday, April 30, 2026.

Further details indicate that judgment in the ADC appeal, marked SC/CV/180/2026, is fixed for 2 p.m., although the time for the PDP case could not be independently confirmed.

The impending rulings come amid heightened political tension and legal battles over control of party structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The dispute within the ADC centres on a prolonged leadership tussle involving former Senate President, David Mark, and a rival faction led by Nafiu Bala Gombe.

Mark is challenging a March 12 judgment of the Court of Appeal Nigeria, which directed all parties to maintain the status quo pending resolution of the leadership crisis.

He has argued that the appellate court exceeded its jurisdiction, maintaining that the dispute is an internal party matter not subject to judicial interference.

The appeal was heard on April 22 by a five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Garba, which subsequently reserved judgment.

In a development highlighting the urgency of the case, counsel to the ADC wrote to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, urging the apex court to expedite its ruling.

In the letter dated April 28, 2026, the law firm of S.E. Aruwa (SAN) & Co. warned that delays could jeopardise the party’s participation in the 2027 elections.

The lawyers also raised concerns over the actions of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), alleging that the commission had relied on a lower court ruling to withdraw recognition of the party’s leadership.

According to them, the development has left the ADC without a clearly recognised leadership structure, despite remaining a registered political party.

They further noted that compliance with INEC’s electoral timetable for the 2027 polls depends largely on the timely resolution 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,” the lawyers stated.

They warned that any delay could expose the party to the risk of exclusion from the elections, potentially disenfranchising millions of its supporters.

“Justice delayed, in this particular circumstance, would amount to justice denied,” the counsel added, stressing that the party’s political future hangs in the balance.

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