Supreme Court Hears David Mark’s Appeal Over ADC Leadership Dispute

The Supreme Court of Nigeria will on Tuesday hear an appeal filed by Senator David Mark challenging the leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in a case that could determine the party’s recognised national structure ahead of future political activities.

The apex court fixed April 14 for the hearing in the appeal marked SC/CV/180/2026 between Senator Mark and Nafiu-Bala Gombe and four others. The hearing notice was issued by the Supreme Court’s litigation department and sighted in Abuja.

Senator Mark is asking the court to stay the execution of the March 12 judgment of the Court of Appeal, which had ruled on the party leadership structure. He is also seeking an order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising any other leadership apart from his faction pending the determination of the appeal.

The appeal lists Gombe, the ADC, former Minister Rauf Aregbesola, INEC, and Ralph Nwosu as respondents. Mark, through his counsel, Realwan Okpanachi, argues that the enforcement of the appellate court judgment could render his appeal meaningless if not suspended.

Okpanachi informed the court that the appeal was filed on March 16 following the Court of Appeal’s ruling delivered on March 12. He added that the record of appeal was compiled and transmitted on March 31, and that the matter has since been duly entered before the Supreme Court.

He further noted that the Court of Appeal had directed parties to maintain the “status quo ante bellum,” but said the order had been interpreted differently by parties in the dispute. According to him, one of the respondents, Nafiu-Bala Gombe, had relied on the order to write to INEC, urging the commission not to recognise Mark and other ADC national officers.

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Okpanachi warned that unless the Supreme Court grants the stay of execution, the judgment of the Court of Appeal would be enforced, potentially rendering the appeal “nugatory” and undermining the authority of the apex court.

Meanwhile, INEC has already removed the names of Senator Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as national chairman and secretary of the ADC following the Court of Appeal ruling.

The Supreme Court’s decision on the matter is expected to have significant implications for the leadership structure of the party and its internal political stability.