A leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has intensified following fresh judicial interventions by Nigeria’s courts, as the party grapples with internal divisions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
On April 14, 2026, the Supreme Court of Nigeria granted an accelerated hearing in the leadership dispute involving a faction led by former Senate President David Mark. The court fixed April 22 for the substantive hearing of the appeal, citing urgency in resolving the matter.
The decision followed an application by Mark’s legal team, led by Jibrin Okutepa, who argued that the party had effectively become “leaderless” after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) removed the names of Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official records.
INEC’s action was based on its interpretation of a prior Court of Appeal ruling directing parties to maintain the “status quo ante bellum,” pending resolution of the dispute.
While the Supreme Court declined to grant a stay of execution on the lower court’s decision, it ordered all parties to file their briefs within a shortened timeframe, signaling the urgency attached to resolving the crisis.
In a parallel ruling, the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered that the existing ADC state executive committees be maintained, effectively preventing any attempts by rival national factions to dissolve or restructure state-level leadership.
Justice J.O. Abdulmalik, who presided over the case filed by state party officials including Don Norman Obinna, ruled that no congresses or conventions should be conducted until the substantive suit is determined. The decision is seen as a significant boost for the state chairmen faction.
The crisis within the ADC stems from a wave of high-profile defections into the party in 2025, including prominent figures such as Atiku Abubakar, David Mark, and Aregbesola. The influx, aimed at strengthening opposition against the ruling party, instead triggered a power struggle between competing factions.
Meanwhile, INEC has maintained a neutral stance, declining to recognise any faction and warning that it will not monitor party activities such as conventions until the courts provide clarity.
Political analysts say the twin court rulings highlight the judiciary’s growing influence in Nigeria’s political landscape, particularly in resolving intra-party disputes.
With the Supreme Court set to hear the case on April 22, attention is now focused on the apex court’s decision, which is expected to determine the future leadership structure of the ADC and its readiness for the 2027 elections.
