Supreme Court Fixes Thursday for Rulings in ADC, PDP Leadership Disputes

The Supreme Court of Nigeria is set to deliver judgments on Thursday in two politically sensitive appeals involving leadership crises within the African Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.

Details obtained from the court’s official cause list show that both cases, categorised under “Political Appeals,” have been scheduled for April 30, 2026. The ADC matter, listed as SC/CV/180/2026, is expected to be decided by 2 pm, while the hearing time for the PDP appeal has not been confirmed.

The anticipated rulings come against the backdrop of heightened political tension and legal battles over party control ahead of the 2027 general elections.

At the heart of the ADC case is a lingering leadership dispute involving former Senate President David Mark and a rival faction led by Nafiu Bala Gombe. Mark is contesting a March 12 ruling of the Court of Appeal, which directed parties to maintain the status quo in the ongoing tussle.

He has argued that the appellate court exceeded its jurisdiction, maintaining that the matter is an internal party issue that should not be subject to judicial interference.

The Supreme Court heard the appeal on April 22 before a five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Garba, after which judgment was reserved.

In an earlier move highlighting the urgency of the case, ADC’s legal team had written to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, pressing for a swift decision.

“This appeal was graciously heard expeditiously on the 22nd April, 2026, and judgment was thereafter reserved to a date to be communicated by the court,” the lawyers stated.

They also expressed concern over the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission, alleging that it acted on a lower court judgment to “remove or de-recognise the leadership” of the party.

According to them, the situation has left the ADC “without leadership at the moment, even though the ADC remains a recognized registered political party in Nigeria.”

The legal team tied the urgency of the matter to the electoral timetable already released by INEC, warning that the party’s compliance with requirements for the 2027 elections hinges on the outcome of the appeal.

“The ADC’s ability to comply with these statutory requirements to participate in the 2027 General Elections is wholly dependent on the timely delivery of the judgment in the instant Appeal,” they said.

They further cautioned that any delay could carry serious consequences, exposing the party to the “grave and irreversible risk” of being shut out of the elections and disenfranchising its supporters.

“Justice delayed, in this particular circumstance, would amount to justice denied,” the counsel added, noting that the “entire political future” of the party hangs in the balance.