ADC leadership crisis Supreme Court hearing fixed for April 22 as David Mark appeals ruling over party control dispute
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has fixed April 22, 2026, for the hearing of an appeal filed by former Senate President David Mark over the leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress.
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The Supreme Court hearing follows a dispute challenging earlier judgments on the control and structure of the opposition party.
A five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Mohammed Garba, set the date on Tuesday after granting accelerated hearing in the matter marked SC/CV/180/2026.
The appeal challenges a March 12 ruling of the Court of Appeal, which upheld a September 4, 2025, decision of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
At the lower court, Justice Emeka Nwite had declined an ex parte application seeking injunctive relief in the leadership dispute filed by party chieftain Nafiu Bala Gombe.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, the Supreme Court ordered accelerated timelines for the filing of legal briefs by all parties involved in the case.
Counsel to the appellant, Jibril Okutepa, was directed to file and serve his brief within a short period, while respondents were given three days to respond upon service.
The court further directed that a reply brief, if necessary, be filed within one day after receipt of respondents’ submissions.
The Supreme Court hearing is expected to determine competing claims over the party’s national leadership, with rival factions laying claim to the position of National Chairman.
The dispute has generated multiple court cases and remains one of the most closely watched internal party conflicts in Nigeria’s political space.
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Further details are expected as proceedings continue.
