Explainer: What Supreme Court ruling mean for Mark-led ADC

The recent Supreme Court decision in favour of David Mark regarding the leadership tussle within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) may appear to settle the dispute on the surface, but the reality is that the crisis remains far from over.

While the apex court set aside the Court of Appeal’s order directing parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum, it did not deliver a final determination on the substantive question of who the legitimate leadership of the party is.

A five-member panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, held that the Court of Appeal acted beyond its jurisdiction when it issued orders after dismissing the appeal before it. The court, however, only partially allowed Mark’s appeal and directed that all parties return to the trial court for continuation of hearing.

This effectively means that the core issue—who truly leads the ADC—remains unresolved and still subject to judicial determination at the lower court.

In practical terms, the court’s ruling offers only temporary relief to the Mark-led faction, pending a final verdict from the trial court. The existence of rival factions within the party continues to fuel internal instability and uncertainty over key decisions.

The lingering legal dispute also raises concerns about the party’s cohesion at a politically sensitive period, as unresolved leadership questions could undermine administrative authority and strategic planning.

A further complication is the tight electoral timeline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission, which has fixed May 10 as the deadline for political parties to submit updated membership registers ahead of the 2027 general elections.

With the deadline approaching, the ADC faces operational and legal risks. Any disagreement over which faction is authorised to submit the official register could result in parallel submissions, internal disputes, or regulatory challenges.

While the Supreme Court ruling strengthens the position of the Mark-led structure for now, it remains an interim position rather than a final resolution.

Until the trial court delivers a definitive judgment and the party resolves its internal divisions, the ADC remains in a fragile state—caught between judicial uncertainty and electoral pressure.

For now, the party may have gained a temporary legal advantage, but the broader struggle for control and stability is still ongoing.

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