Supreme Court Reserves Judgment in ADC Leadership Crisis

The Supreme Court of Nigeria on Wednesday reserved judgment in the appeal filed by former Senate President, David Mark, over ADC leadership crisis.

Following the adoption of the parties’ last written addresses, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court, presided over by Justice Mohammed Garba, scheduled the case for judgement.

Mark, who is in charge of a portion of the party, is contesting the Court of Appeal’s March 12 ruling, which mandated that the parties keep the status quo in the conflict.

The former Senate President also argued in his appeal that the appellate court overreached its authority and that the matter bordered on internal party affairs, which courts lack the power to decide.

Meanwhile, angry party members, led by Nafiu Bala Gombe, filed the lawsuit to challenge the validity of the party’s Mark-led leadership.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, Ralph Nwosu, a former national chairman, the ADC, and its National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, are among the other parties to the appeal.

In addition, Mark is requesting an order prohibiting INEC from acknowledging any leadership other than his group until the appeal is being decided.

However, the respondents urged the apex court to dismiss the appeal, maintaining that the lower court was properly seized of the matter.

Backstory…

Former ADC Deputy National Chairman Bala has been challenging the party’s current leadership, claiming that he should have become the national chairman following the resignation of former chairman Ralph Nwosu.