Supreme Court reserves judgment in ADC leadership dispute as David Mark challenges Court jurisdiction

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has reserved judgment in an appeal filed by David Mark, National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), challenging the jurisdiction of courts to interfere in the internal affairs of the party.

A five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Garba Mohammed, announced that a date for judgment would be communicated after hearing arguments from all parties involved.

Counsel to Mark, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), argued that the issue had already been settled by the Supreme Court in a previous ruling delivered on March 21, 2025. He maintained that courts lack jurisdiction over matters relating to the internal affairs of political parties, urging the panel to uphold that position and nullify proceedings at the lower court.

However, counsel to the opposing faction led by Nafiu Gombe, Robert Emukpero (SAN), countered that the appeal lacked merit. He urged the apex court to affirm the earlier judgment of the Court of Appeal, which dismissed Mark’s case as premature.

The appellate court had previously ruled against Mark’s challenge to the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, directing that the substantive suit on the ADC leadership dispute proceed.

It also ordered parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum, a directive that led the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to temporarily withdraw recognition of the Mark-led leadership pending final determination of the case.

Dissatisfied with the ruling, Mark approached the apex court seeking to overturn both the jurisdictional decision and the order enforcing the status quo.

Following the adoption of final briefs by all parties, the Supreme Court reserved judgment, leaving the fate of the ADC leadership unresolved for now.