The Supreme Court of Nigeria on Wednesday reserved judgment in a high-stakes appeal filed by former Senate President David Mark, as the legal battle over the leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) deepens.
A five-member panel of the apex court, headed by Justice Mohammed Garba, adjourned the matter for judgment after all parties formally adopted their final written submissions. The court did not specify a date for delivering its ruling, a development that leaves the fate of the party’s leadership hanging in the balance.
At the centre of the dispute is a protracted internal crisis that has split the ADC into rival factions, each laying claim to the party’s national leadership. David Mark, who heads one of the factions, is seeking to overturn an earlier ruling by the Court of Appeal delivered on March 12, which directed all parties involved to maintain the status quo pending the resolution of the dispute.
In his appeal, Mark argued that the appellate court overstepped its constitutional bounds by intervening in what he described as a purely internal party matter. He maintained that issues relating to party leadership, structure, and administration fall within the exclusive domain of political parties and are therefore not justiciable in court.
According to him, the judiciary lacks the jurisdiction to determine internal disagreements within political organisations, except in limited circumstances clearly defined by law. He urged the Supreme Court to set aside the decision of the lower court and uphold the principle of party autonomy.
The suit that triggered the legal battle was instituted by a group of aggrieved party members led by Nafiu Bala Gombe, who are challenging the legitimacy of the leadership structure under Mark. The group contends that the current leadership does not reflect due process and has called for judicial intervention to restore what it describes as lawful order within the party.
Also listed as respondents in the case are the ADC as a corporate entity, its National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and a former National Chairman of the party, Ralph Nwosu. Each of these parties has taken positions that reflect the complexity and sensitivity of the dispute.
Mark, in addition to challenging the appellate court’s ruling, is seeking a consequential order restraining INEC from recognising any leadership of the ADC other than his faction while the appeal is pending. This request underscores the strategic importance of official recognition by the electoral body, particularly as political activities begin to intensify ahead of future elections.
The respondents, however, have urged the Supreme Court to dismiss the appeal in its entirety. They argued that the Court of Appeal acted within its jurisdiction and that its directive to maintain the status quo was necessary to preserve stability within the party pending a final determination of the issues.
They further contended that the nature of the dispute, which involves questions of leadership legitimacy and compliance with party rules, falls within the scope of matters that courts can adjudicate, especially where rights and obligations of members are in contention.
The ongoing crisis has already prompted regulatory intervention by INEC, which has taken the unusual step of removing the names of all contending leaders from its official portal. The commission has also declined to recognise any faction of the party until the legal dispute is conclusively resolved.
This move has effectively placed the ADC in a state of administrative limbo, with significant implications for its organisational coherence and political activities. Without recognised leadership, the party faces challenges in coordinating its affairs, including candidate selection, policy direction, and participation in electoral processes.
The leadership tussle within the ADC reflects a broader pattern of internal disputes that have historically affected political parties in Nigeria. Such conflicts often arise from disagreements over control of party structures, allocation of positions, and strategic direction, particularly as election cycles approach.
Legal analysts note that the Supreme Court’s eventual ruling will have far-reaching implications, not only for the ADC but also for the jurisprudence surrounding internal party disputes in Nigeria. At issue is the delicate balance between respecting party autonomy and ensuring that political organisations adhere to principles of fairness, transparency, and due process.
If the apex court sides with Mark, it could reinforce the argument that courts should exercise restraint in intervening in internal party matters. Conversely, a decision upholding the lower court’s ruling may affirm the judiciary’s role in resolving disputes where internal mechanisms fail or where fundamental rights are at stake.
For now, all eyes remain on the Supreme Court as stakeholders await its judgment. The outcome is expected to provide clarity on the leadership of the ADC and potentially reshape the legal framework governing political party disputes in the country.
Until then, the uncertainty surrounding the party’s leadership persists, underscoring the high stakes involved in the case and the critical role of the judiciary in navigating complex political conflicts.
