Supreme Court Affirms David Mark-led ADC Faction
Last update: May 1, 2026
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Supreme court backs David Mark-led ADC faction, voids appeal court order.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has affirmed the faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President, David Mark.
CBI News reports that the ruling marks a significant development in the protracted leadership crisis within the opposition party.
The crisis followed actions by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which declined to recognise some claimants to leadership positions, citing earlier court rulings and ongoing litigation.
INEC had also removed Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its portal as the party’s National Chairman and Secretary, respectively, insisting on maintaining the status quo pending resolution of the dispute.
In a unanimous decision delivered by a five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, the apex court set aside the order of the Court of Appeal directing parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum.
The court held that the appellate court exceeded its jurisdiction by issuing such an order after it had already dismissed the appeal before it.
“Giving such an order in an appeal it had already dismissed was unnecessary, unwarranted and improper,” the court ruled.
The Supreme Court held that the appeal filed by Mark succeeded in part, though it dismissed aspects challenging an earlier ex parte order of the Federal High Court relating to service of processes.
The apex court subsequently directed all parties involved in the dispute to return to the trial court for continuation of hearing on the substantive matter.
