Supreme Court Reserves Judgment in ADC Leadership Dispute
The Supreme Court on Wednesday reserved judgment in an appeal by African Democratic Congress (ADC) National Chairman Senator David Mark, challenging the lower courts’ jurisdiction over the party’s internal leadership dispute.
A five-member panel led by Justice Garba Mohammed announced this shortly after lawyers for both sides adopted their briefs of argument.
Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, representing David Mark, urged the court to allow the appeal.
He cited the Supreme Court’s March 21, 2025, judgment, which held that “no court has jurisdiction to entertain cases bordering on internal affairs of political parties.” Okutepa asked the apex court to rule that the trial court lacked jurisdiction over the ADC’s internal matters.
Robert Emukpero, SAN, for the first respondent, Hon. Nafiu Gombe, urged dismissal of the appeal. He asked the court to uphold the lower court’s ruling that Mark’s case was premature and should be dismissed.
Recall that a three-member Court of Appeal panel had dismissed Mark’s earlier appeal challenging Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja’s jurisdiction over Gombe’s suit against ADC’s leadership.
The appellate court ruled the appeal premature and filed without trial court leave. It remitted the matter for expeditious hearing and ordered parties to maintain the status quo ante.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) then de-recognized Mark’s leadership pending court determination of ADC’s authentic leadership.
Dissatisfied, Mark appealed to the Supreme Court, challenging the appellate ruling and seeking to stay the status quo order.
Instead of hearing motions, the apex court directed parties to file briefs. After arguments, Justice Garba announced judgment would be reserved to a date to be communicated.
