The Supreme Court has fixed Thursday, April 30, 2026, for judgment in the long-running leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), bringing a decisive moment to a case that has split the opposition party.
Court sets final judgment date
The apex court, in a fresh notice issued on Wednesday, confirmed that judgment in the matter will be delivered at 2pm on Thursday, following the conclusion of final written addresses by all parties involved.
A five-member panel of justices, led by Justice Mohammed Garba, had earlier reserved judgment after hearing arguments from the factions locked in the leadership tussle.
Origin of the political dispute
The case stems from a factional battle within the ADC, with Nafiu Bala Gombe challenging the legitimacy of the leadership led by former Senate President David Mark.
Mark’s faction is contesting the March 12 ruling of the Court of Appeal, which directed all parties to maintain the status quo pending resolution of the dispute.
He argues that the matter is strictly an internal party issue and that the appellate court lacked jurisdiction to intervene.
INEC, Aregbesola and others named in suit
The respondents in the case include the African Democratic Congress (ADC), its National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and former national chairman Ralph Nwosu.
Mark is also seeking an order restraining INEC from recognising any leadership other than his faction while the appeal is pending before the Supreme Court.
However, the respondents have urged the court to dismiss the appeal, insisting that the lower court acted within its jurisdiction.
Warning over 2027 election implications
In a letter dated April 28, 2026, the Mark-led faction warned that delay in judgment could jeopardise the party’s participation in the 2027 general elections.
Signed by counsel Shaibu Enejoh Aruwa, the letter stressed that INEC had already begun implementing its timetable for the 2027 elections, raising urgency around the case.
The faction argued that failure to resolve the leadership question on time could lead to the ADC being excluded from the polls, potentially affecting millions of supporters nationwide.
The Supreme Court judgment is now expected to determine not just the party’s leadership structure, but also its immediate political future ahead of the next election cycle, as the matter continues to dominate latest Nigerian news and breaking news Nigeria today coverage.