The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has formally appealed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, urging the Supreme Court to fast-track judgment in its pending appeal, warning that prolonged delay could jeopardise its participation in the 2027 general elections.
The request was conveyed through the party’s lead counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Shuaibu Aruwa, who raised concerns over the uncertainty surrounding the party’s leadership and legal status as the electoral calendar approaches critical deadlines.
The case before the apex court involves competing claims over the leadership of the party, with the Senator David Mark-led National Working Committee and another faction led by Nafiu Bala-Gombe, alongside other respondents, all laying claim to control of the party structure.
The ADC maintained that recent administrative actions by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have deepened uncertainty within the party, despite its continued registration as a political party.
According to the party, this situation poses a direct threat to its preparations for the 2027 elections.
The Supreme Court had earlier heard arguments from all sides and reserved judgment, promising to communicate a date for its ruling.
During proceedings, lawyers representing the opposing factions adopted their written submissions, presenting arguments both in support of and against the appeal.
Counsel to David Mark, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), urged the court to allow the appeal, arguing that earlier judicial pronouncements had already settled issues relating to internal affairs of political parties and that lower courts lacked jurisdiction in such matters.
On the other hand, counsel to Nafiu Bala-Gombe, Robert Emukporo (SAN), asked the court to dismiss the appeal, insisting that the earlier ruling of the Court of Appeal was correct and should be upheld.
A three-member panel of the Court of Appeal had previously dismissed Mark’s challenge to the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court in Abuja, describing the appeal as premature and procedurally defective.
The appellate court also ordered that the case be returned to the trial court for accelerated hearing, while directing all parties to maintain the existing status quo.
Following that directive, INEC reportedly withdrew recognition of the Mark-led leadership pending final judicial determination of the party’s authentic leadership.
Dissatisfied with the ruling, Mark approached the Supreme Court, challenging both the appellate decision and the order maintaining the status quo.
The ADC warned that the unresolved leadership tussle, if prolonged, could undermine its ability to meet key electoral timelines, particularly the deadline for submission of candidates under the Electoral Act 2026.
The party stressed that an urgent judicial resolution was necessary to prevent disruption of its internal political processes ahead of the 2027 polls.
The apex court has not fixed a date for judgment but has assured parties that they will be notified once a decision is reached.
The case remains one of several high-profile political disputes currently before the courts as parties reposition ahead of the next general elections.
