Supreme Court Restores David Mark as ADC Chairman

The Supreme Court on Thursday set aside the order of the Court of Appeal that had effectively halted the recognition of former Senate President, David Mark, as National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), restoring his position and that of other national officers of the party.

In a unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, the apex court held that the preservative order of “status quo ante bellum” issued by the Court of Appeal was made in bad faith, unnecessary, unwarranted, and procedurally improper. The court further ruled that the appellate court erred by granting an order that was not specifically sought by any of the parties involved in the matter.

The Supreme Court emphasized that courts must confine themselves strictly to the reliefs presented before them and avoid issuing orders that alter the political or administrative balance of a dispute without a proper legal request. It described the earlier intervention by the Court of Appeal as a “misdirection” that had unintended consequences for the leadership structure of the ADC.

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The dispute had earlier led the Independent National Electoral Commission (Independent National Electoral Commission) to derecognize the executive committee of the ADC led by Mark, following the appellate court’s interim order. That decision had thrown the party’s national leadership into uncertainty and triggered internal political tension within the opposition party.

With Thursday’s ruling, the Supreme Court has effectively reinstated the status quo of ADC leadership, directing that David Mark and other national officers be recognized by INEC as the legitimate leaders of the party. The judgment is expected to immediately resolve the leadership crisis that has lingered within the ADC since the dispute began.

Legal observers say the ruling also reinforces the limits of appellate courts in granting interim reliefs that are not specifically requested, especially in politically sensitive matters. They note that the decision could have broader implications for how courts handle intra-party disputes going forward.

For now, attention shifts back to the ADC, as the reinstated leadership is expected to resume full control of party affairs following the Supreme Court’s final pronouncement.