From Victor Osula, Abuja
In a decisive step toward resolving protracted internal crises in two major opposition parties, the Supreme Court of Nigeria, on Wednesday, reserved judgement in separate appeals challenging the leadership structures of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), after hearing arguments and adopting final written submissions from parties.
The apex court had, on April 14, 2026, ordered accelerated hearings in the matters, citing their urgency and far-reaching electoral implications, particularly in light of timelines set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Proceedings were conducted before separate five-member panels of the court. The ADC appeal, marked SC/CV/180/2026, was heard by a panel led by Mohammed Garba, while the PDP appeal, SC/CV/166/2026, was taken by a panel headed by Mohammed Lawal, with both panels reserving judgement to dates to be communicated.
In the ADC matter, the appeal was instituted by the party’s National Chairman, David Mark, who is contesting a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former deputy national chairman, over the legitimacy of the party’s leadership.
Mark had through his counsel, Realwan Okpanachi, prayed the court to restrain INEC from altering the party’s leadership structure under him and to stay further proceedings in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025 before the Federal High Court.
The respondents in the appeal include Bala, the ADC, the party’s National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, INEC, and the party’s founder Ralph Nwosu.
The dispute dates back to September 2, 2025, when Bala approached the Federal High Court seeking to restrain INEC from recognising the Mark-led executive and to instead recognise him as acting national chairman. He maintained that he never resigned as national vice-chairman and was entitled to assume leadership following the exit of Nwosu.
On September 4, 2025, the trial court, presided over by Emeka Nwite, directed the respondents, including INEC, to show cause why the application should not be granted.
Dissatisfied, Mark challenged the jurisdiction of the trial court, but on March 12, 2026, the Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal as incompetent and unmeritorious, directing parties to return to the lower court while maintaining the status quo ante bellum.
Following the appellate decision, INEC announced on April 1 that it would refrain from recognising either faction of the ADC led by Mark or Bala pending judicial clarity, effectively suspending engagement with both camps.
In response, the Mark-led faction filed further processes seeking to compel INEC to restore its recognition and maintain the existing National Working Committee, while also raising a preliminary objection challenging Bala’s locus standi and the justiciability of the suit.
In the PDP matter, the apex court reserved judgement after hearing arguments on the legality of the party’s disputed November 15–16, 2025 national convention held in Ibadan, which produced a leadership led by Taminu Turaki, SAN.
Proceedings before the panel led by Justice Mohammed Lawal concluded with the adoption of final written addresses, after which the court adjourned for judgement.
The accelerated hearing was granted in view of INEC’s timetable, which fixed April 23 for the commencement of submission of candidates by political parties. Counsel to the appellants, Chris Uche, SAN, had warned that the unresolved leadership dispute could jeopardise the PDP’s ability to meet electoral requirements.
The dispute centres on the validity of the Ibadan convention, which was nullified by lower courts over alleged breaches of subsisting court orders, the Electoral Act, and the party’s constitution.
The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal had, in its March 9 judgement, affirmed the earlier decision of the Federal High Court delivered by James Omotosho, which voided the convention and restrained INEC from recognising its outcome.
In the lead judgement, Uchechukwu Onyemenam held that the convention was conducted in violation of subsisting court orders and failed to meet mandatory legal requirements, including the conduct of valid state congresses, while also faulting the notice convening the exercise as defective.
Despite these rulings, the PDP remains divided, with rival factions laying claim to legitimacy. A bloc aligned with Nyesom Wike has since conducted a separate convention in Abuja and secured judicial backing granting it access to the party’s national secretariat.
With both appeals now awaiting judgment, the Supreme Court is expected to deliver definitive rulings on the validity of the disputed processes and the authentic leadership of the parties—decisions widely seen as pivotal to restoring internal stability and ensuring compliance with electoral regulations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
