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Supreme Court Dismisses David Mark’s Application, Deepening ADC Leadership Crisis Ahead of 2027 Polls
The Supreme Court has dismissed an application for stay of execution filed by former Senate President, David Mark, challenging a Court of Appeal ruling that led the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to derecognize his leadership of the Action Democratic Congress (ADC).
The ruling followed the withdrawal of the application by Mark’s counsel, Jibril Okutekpa, SAN, during proceedings on Tuesday before a five-member panel of the apex court headed by Justice Lawal Garba.
Okutekpa informed the court that INEC’s interpretation of the Court of Appeal judgment of March 12 had effectively created a leadership vacuum within the party, describing the situation as making the ADC “leaderless.” He also argued that the ongoing injunction directing parties to maintain the “status quo antebellum” had deepened the internal crisis.
The application was withdrawn, leading the Supreme Court to formally dismiss it. However, the court granted procedural directions aimed at expediting the substantive hearing of the appeal due to its urgency and implications for the 2027 general elections.
The Court abridged timelines for filing briefs and responses and scheduled the substantive hearing for April 22, 2026.
The dispute stems from a suit filed by Nafiu-Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC, who is challenging the legitimacy of the current party leadership involving Rauf Aregbesola and David Mark. Gombe is seeking orders restraining them from parading as party leaders and preventing INEC from recognizing their leadership.
Following the Court of Appeal’s ruling, Independent National Electoral Commission reportedly removed the names of Mark and Aregbesola from its portal as National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC, citing the court’s “status quo” order.
The Action Democratic Congress (ADC) leadership crisis remains unresolved as the matter now proceeds to full hearing at the Supreme Court.
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