The Supreme Court of Nigeria will on Thursday (tomorrow), 30 April, deliver judgments in two political appeals over leadership disputes in the African Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.
- +BREAKING: Supreme Court to rule on ADC, PDP appeals
The cases are listed on the court’s website under political appeals.
The cases are listed on the court’s website under political appeals. The ADC case, marked SC/CV/180/2026, is scheduled for 2 p.m. The time for the PDP appeal is not indicated.
The ADC case stems from a leadership crisis between former Senate President David Mark and a rival group led by Nafiu Bala Gombe. Mr Mark is contesting a 12 March ruling of the Court of Appeal, which directed parties to maintain the status quo.
He argued that the appellate court acted outside its powers and said the dispute is an internal party matter.
The respondents, including the ADC, its national secretary Rauf Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and former national chairperson Ralph Nwosu, urged the court to dismiss the appeal. They said the Court of Appeal acted within its jurisdiction.
A five-member panel led by Mohammed Garba heard both the ADC and PDP cases on 22 April and reserved judgements.
Few days ago, lawyers to the ADC wrote to the Chief Justice of Nigeria on 28 April. They asked the court to deliver judgement within three days.
In the letter, S. E. Aruwa (SAN) & Co. warned that any delay could affect the party’s preparations for the 2027 elections. The lawyers also raised concerns about steps taken by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which they said relied on a lower court ruling to withdraw recognition of the party’s leadership.
They said the development had left the ADC without a recognised leadership, although it remains a registered party.
The lawyers tied their request to INEC’s electoral timetable. They argued that the party’s ability to meet legal requirements for the elections depends on the outcome of the appeal.
They added that delay could expose the party to the risk of exclusion from the polls and affect its supporters.
