The African Democratic Congress (African Democratic CongressADC) has called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria to facilitate the prompt delivery of judgment in the leadership dispute currently before the Supreme Court, warning that any delay could imperil the party’s participation in the 2027 general elections.
In a letter dated April 22, 2026, counsel to the party, S.E. Aruwa, SAN, expressed grave concern that a prolonged delay in the determination of Appeal No. SC/CV/180/2026 could leave the party in a state of uncertainty at a critical period in the electoral cycle.
The appeal, filed by David MarkSenator David Mark and other party leaders against Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe and four others, was argued before a five-member panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Garba Mohammed, which subsequently reserved judgment.
According to the party, the Independent National Electoral Commission (Independent National Electoral CommissionINEC), relying on an earlier Court of Appeal ruling, has withdrawn recognition from the current ADC leadership pending the final resolution of the dispute. The development, the party argues, has created a serious constitutional and political challenge.
ADC maintained that without a recognised leadership, it may be unable to comply with key statutory requirements necessary for participation in the 2027 elections, including candidate nomination, submission of party documents, and other mandatory electoral processes.
The party warned that any prolonged uncertainty could effectively disenfranchise millions of Nigerians who have chosen the ADC as their preferred political platform.
“Justice delayed, in this peculiar circumstance, would amount to justice denied,” the party stated in its appeal.
Meanwhile, the ADC has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (All Progressives CongressAPC) of undermining democratic institutions and sowing seeds of national instability through what it described as politically motivated interference.
At the hearing, lead counsel for Senator Mark, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, urged the apex court to reaffirm its settled position that courts lack jurisdiction over the internal affairs of political parties. He argued that the dispute falls squarely within the domestic jurisdiction of the party.
Counsel to the respondent, Robert Emukpoeruo, SAN, however, asked the court to dismiss the appeal and uphold the Court of Appeal’s decision, which had ruled that the matter was premature and ought to proceed to trial.
The outcome of the case is widely seen as pivotal, not only for the future leadership of the ADC, but also for the party’s strategic preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections. With INEC’s timetable already underway, the pressure is mounting for an expedited decision from the nation’s highest court.
