The conflict began when Nafiu Bala Gombe sought a court order to prevent INEC from recognizing David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as national chairman and secretary of the ADC. The Court of Appeal had initially directed that the status quo ante bellum be maintained, which resulted in INEC derecognizing Mark’s leadership.

Justice Mohammed Garba delivered the unanimous judgment from a five-member panel. The Supreme Court ruled that the Court of Appeal lacked authority to issue a preservative order while the case was still pending before the trial court. The ruling directed all parties to return to the Federal High Court for an expeditious hearing.

The ADC’s national spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, welcomed the verdict, describing it as a clear affirmation of the party’s legitimacy. He stated, “We commend the five-man panel of the Supreme Court, whose unanimous judgment has today done great credit to the judiciary in our country and our political system.”

Legal expert Jubrin Okutekpa noted that INEC’s prior actions to remove David Mark and his executive committee have now been invalidated. He remarked, “Di basis upon which Inec bin act to remove di name of Senator (David) Mark and im exco don dey removed…” This ruling is expected to have far-reaching effects on the upcoming 2027 general elections.

As political dynamics shift within Nigeria, this ruling reinstates stability in ADC leadership ahead of critical electoral contests. Officials have yet to confirm how this will influence party strategies moving forward.

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Key facts:

• The Supreme Court set aside the Court of Appeal’s directive for parties to maintain the status quo in the ADC leadership dispute.
• INEC had previously removed the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal following the Court of Appeal’s order.
• The ruling restored the David Mark-led executive of the ADC pending a determination by the Federal High Court.

The ADC leadership crisis began when Nafiu Bala Gombe sought to restrain Mark’s faction from claiming leadership of the party. Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba noted that maintaining status quo was ‘unnecessary, improper and unwarranted’. He emphasized that this matter must proceed at trial court for full hearing and determination.

This ruling is expected to significantly impact the ADC’s participation in the 2027 general elections. The Federal High Court will now take up the case again, with all parties required to present their arguments.

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The Supreme Court has fixed April 14 for the hearing of Mark’s appeal against Nafiu Bala’s suit, which questions Mark’s leadership position. Mark’s appeal is marked SC/CV/180/2026, and he is seeking to overturn the Court of Appeal’s decision that deemed his case as incompetent and unmeritorious.

On March 12, 2026, the Court of Appeal ruled against Mark, a decision that has significant implications for the ADC’s internal dynamics. Following this ruling, on April 1, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced it would no longer recognize the factions of the ADC led by either Mark or Bala, further complicating the leadership crisis.

In response to INEC’s announcement, Mark filed a motion requesting the court to compel INEC to restore their names and recognize them as members of the party’s national working committee. This legal maneuver highlights the urgency and complexity of the situation as both factions vie for legitimacy.

The Supreme Court has also scheduled a hearing for April 22 in another related appeal filed by Mark regarding the leadership dispute in the ADC. A five-member panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Mohammed Garba, granted accelerated hearing in this matter, indicating the court’s recognition of the case’s significance.

In a separate ruling, the Supreme Court set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal concerning the appointment of counsel for Nestoil and Neconde, affirming that these entities remain valid legal entities with the right to engage counsel of their choice. This ruling may set a precedent for how legal disputes are handled within corporate governance and political party structures.

As the April 14 hearing approaches, the ADC’s leadership crisis continues to unfold, with both Mark and Bala preparing for what could be a pivotal moment for the party. The outcome of this appeal could determine the future of the ADC and its leadership structure, which has been under scrutiny since the initial suit was filed by Bala on September 2, 2025, to restrain INEC from recognizing Mark-led executives.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the potential implications of the Supreme Court’s decisions on the ADC’s internal politics and its recognition by INEC. The political landscape may shift dramatically depending on the court’s rulings in the coming weeks, particularly as the parties involved await the Supreme Court’s judgment.

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has ceased to recognize the factions of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by David Mark and Rafiu Bala Gombe. This decision follows a ruling by the Court of Appeal on March 12, 2026, which instructed INEC to maintain the status quo regarding the ADC’s leadership while the matter is resolved in court.

INEC has stated that it will not engage with either faction or monitor their meetings until the Federal High Court decides the ongoing leadership dispute. This development has raised concerns within the ADC, as the party claims that the decision by INEC renders them unable to participate in the upcoming elections.

David Mark was appointed interim National Chairman of the ADC on July 29, 2025, but Rafiu Bala Gombe contends that he should be recognized as the acting National Chairman. The conflicting claims have led to confusion, particularly after INEC received conflicting letters regarding the ADC leadership on March 16, 2026.

Bolaji Abdullahi, a prominent figure within the ADC, criticized INEC’s decision, stating, “INEC don bow to pressure and don choose to side wit di govment against di Nigerian pipo.” This sentiment reflects a broader concern among party members about the implications of INEC’s actions on their political future.

Inibehe Effiong, another ADC member, described the situation as “a well-orchestrated sinister conspiracy to truncate contested and credible elections for 2027.” Such statements underscore the anxiety surrounding the ADC’s ability to navigate the political landscape in light of these challenges.

Felix Morka, also from the ADC, pointed out that the current issues facing the party are largely self-inflicted, attributing them to a failure to adhere to the rules of law. He remarked, “Any problem wey ADC dey face now, na dem cause am by demsefs wit dia failure to ignore di rules of law.” This perspective suggests an internal struggle within the party that may complicate their efforts to regain recognition.

Observers note that INEC plans to remove David Mark’s name from its portal following the court ruling, further complicating the ADC’s position. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact implications of INEC’s decision on the ADC’s ability to participate in elections.

The ADC was adopted as a political platform by a coalition of politicians aiming to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections. As the situation develops, the ADC’s leadership and its capacity to participate in the electoral process remain uncertain.

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