The Supreme Court has scheduled April 14 to hear an appeal lodged by David Mark, national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in the continuing leadership tussle with Nafiu Bala.
The appeal, marked SC/CV/180/2026, contests a judgment of the Court of Appeal delivered on March 12, which underpins the current turmoil within the party. Mark is asking the apex court to grant an order staying the enforcement of that ruling pending the determination of his appeal.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), hearing notices were served on all parties on Friday via the litigation department of the Supreme Court.
In the suit, filed by his counsel, Realwan Okpanachi, Mark is also seeking an order to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from effecting any changes to the party’s leadership structure as presently constituted under his leadership, pending the resolution of the appeal.
He further sought an order to stop proceedings in a related matter — suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025 — before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The respondents in the appeal include Bala, the ADC, Rauf Aregbesola (national secretary), INEC, and Ralph Nwosu.
Meanwhile, the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, has equally fixed April 14 to hear Bala’s suit contesting Mark’s leadership of the party.
With both cases slated for the same date, legal analysts say the lower court may adjourn or suspend proceedings in deference to the Supreme Court, in line with the hierarchy of courts.
The matter represents a crucial phase in the internal crisis rocking the ADC, as both factions pursue judicial recognition of their claims to the party’s leadership ahead of the 2027 general elections.
