The Supreme Court of Nigeria on Wednesday withheld judgment in the appeal filed by former Senate President David Mark over the leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress. The case was heard by a five-member panel of justices led by Justice Mohammed Garba after all parties presented their final arguments.
The appeal challenges a March 12 ruling of the Court of Appeal, which ordered all parties in the dispute to maintain the existing situation in the party pending the resolution of the leadership crisis. David Mark, who is aligned with one of the factions in the ADC, is asking the apex court to overturn that decision, arguing that the lower court went beyond its authority in handling what he considers an internal party matter.
The dispute originated from a suit filed by a group of aggrieved members led by Nafiu Bala Gombe, who are contesting the legitimacy of the leadership headed by Mark’s faction. The case has drawn several respondents, including the African Democratic Congress, its National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and former party chairman Ralph Nwosu.
Mark is also seeking an order that would stop INEC from recognising any leadership structure in the party other than his faction until the case is fully decided. However, the opposing sides in the case urged the Supreme Court to dismiss his appeal, insisting that the Court of Appeal acted within its powers.
The leadership crisis has already affected the party’s recognition at the electoral level, as INEC has removed disputed names from its records and refused to recognise any faction until the court delivers a final decision.
With judgment now reserved, the Supreme Court is expected to announce a date later for its final ruling, which will determine the direction of the ongoing leadership struggle within the ADC.