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  • “Struggle Not Over” — Atiku Reacts to Supreme Court ADC Leadership Ruling

    Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has said the opposition’s fight is far from over despite the Supreme Court ruling affirming the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

    Atiku warns against complacency

    Reacting in a statement shared on social media, Atiku described the judgment as a major step but cautioned supporters not to see it as final victory.

    “Even as we welcome the Supreme Court’s firm affirmation of David Mark and the leadership of our great party, the African Democratic Congress, let no one be lulled into complacency,” he said.

    Calls for continued political struggle

    The former vice-president stressed that more effort is required in what he described as a broader mission to “rescue” the country.

    “The road ahead remains long in our cause to take back and rescue our country,” he added.

    Dedicates outcome to Nigerians

    Atiku dedicated the outcome of the legal battle to Nigerians, whom he described as resilient in the face of ongoing political and economic challenges.

    “This victory belongs to Nigerians, the courageous millions who refuse to surrender their future,” he said.

    Urges vigilance and unity

    He further called for sustained public engagement, noting that democratic progress must be protected.

    “As we press on, let this truth guide us: eternal vigilance is the price of liberty,” Atiku stated.

    His remarks come amid ongoing political developments following the Supreme Court ruling, which resolved the ADC leadership dispute and restored clarity within the party ahead of future elections.

  • “I Don’t See Them Defeating Tinubu” — Deji Adeyanju Reacts to Supreme Court ADC Ruling

    Human rights activist Deji Adeyanju has reacted to the Supreme Court ruling on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) leadership crisis, saying he does not see the opposition defeating President Bola Tinubu.

    Praise for Supreme Court decision

    In a statement shared on social media, Adeyanju commended the judiciary for what he described as a firm stance in protecting Nigeria’s democracy.

    “I commend the Supreme Court and the judiciary for preserving our democracy and preventing anti-democratic elements within and around the Tinubu government from destroying our country,” he said.

    Acknowledges Tinubu’s stance

    Adeyanju also praised President Tinubu, stating that he resisted pressure from political loyalists.

    “President Tinubu must also be commended for resisting the pressure of all the sycophants around him,” he added.

    Doubts over opposition chances

    The activist expressed scepticism about the strength of the opposition, even if united, suggesting it may struggle to unseat the current administration.

    “Even with a united opposition, I don’t see them defeating Tinubu. The shameless anti-democratic acts carried out to embarrass Nigeria was avoidable,” he said.

    Looks back at 2023 elections

    Adeyanju further argued that the opposition missed its best opportunity during the 2023 general elections.

    “The best time they had to defeat Tinubu was in 2023 but they kept fooling around,” he stated.

    His comments come amid ongoing political conversations following the Supreme Court’s ruling, which resolved the ADC leadership dispute and restored clarity within the party.

  • Supreme Court Backs David Mark, Ends ADC Leadership Crisis

    Nigeria’s Supreme Court has settled the prolonged leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), ruling in favour of the faction led by former Senate President David Mark.

    Apex court overturns Appeal Court position

    In its judgment delivered on Thursday, the apex court set aside the earlier directive of the Court of Appeal, which had ordered parties to maintain the status quo pending the outcome of the case.

    That order had created uncertainty within the party and prompted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw recognition from all factions.

    With the new ruling, the Supreme Court affirmed the leadership structure backed by Mark, restoring his faction as the recognised authority within the ADC.

    Origin of the leadership dispute

    The crisis began following internal disagreements within the party, which led to rival claims over its leadership.

    A faction led by Nafiu Bala had challenged Mark’s emergence, resulting in conflicting rulings from the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal.

    The dispute escalated into a prolonged legal battle that left the party divided.

    Mark’s argument before the court

    Mark’s camp approached the Supreme Court, arguing that leadership issues within political parties are internal matters that should not be subject to judicial interference.

    The appeal sought to overturn earlier decisions that weakened the faction’s control of the party structure.

    Implications ahead of 2027 elections

    Before the ruling, concerns had grown over the ADC’s ability to participate effectively in the 2027 general elections due to the absence of a clear leadership.

    The Supreme Court’s decision now brings clarity, ending months of legal uncertainty and restoring stability within the party.

    The judgment is expected to allow the Mark-led faction to proceed with party activities and preparations ahead of the next election cycle.

  • Supreme Court Voids PDP Ibadan Convention, Upholds Earlier Rulings

    The Supreme Court has nullified the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, in November 2025, bringing an end to the prolonged legal battle over its legitimacy.

    Court faults convention process

    In a split judgment delivered on Thursday, three out of five justices ruled that the appeal filed by the Tanimu Turaki-led faction lacked merit.

    Justice Stephen Adah, who read the lead judgment, held that the appellants proceeded with the convention despite a subsisting order of the Federal High Court restraining them from doing so.

    Earlier rulings affirmed

    The apex court’s decision effectively upholds the earlier judgments of both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal.

    The lower courts had ruled that the convention violated due process, citing breaches of the party’s constitution and unresolved disputes from state congresses.

    They also noted that the exclusion of some aspirants undermined the credibility of the exercise.

    Legal battle over factional leadership

    Despite the court order, the Ibadan convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, producing a set of party executives that became the subject of litigation.

    The Turaki-led faction had approached the Supreme Court seeking to overturn the earlier rulings and validate both the convention and its outcome.

    However, the apex court dismissed the appeal, affirming that the exercise could not stand due to its violation of valid judicial pronouncements.

    Implications for PDP structure

    The ruling is expected to have significant implications for the internal structure and leadership of the PDP.

    It also brings closure to months of legal uncertainty surrounding the legitimacy of the factional leadership that emerged from the disputed convention.

  • Supreme Court Fixes April 30 Judgment in ADC Leadership Crisis as Legal Battle Deepens

    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.

  • Supreme Court Reserves Judgment in PDP Faction Appeal Over Nullified 2025 National Convention

    The Supreme Court of Nigeria has reserved judgment in the appeal filed by the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), challenging the nullification of its 2025 national convention.

    Court reserves ruling

    A five-member panel of justices led by Justice Lawal Garba announced on Wednesday that a date for judgment will be communicated to all parties after lawyers adopted their final written addresses.

    The faction is asking the apex court to overturn the March 9 ruling of the Court of Appeal, which upheld earlier decisions invalidating the PDP national convention held in Ibadan on November 15 and 16, 2025.

    PDP faction argues internal party matter

    At the Supreme Court, the Turaki-led group argued that the dispute is strictly an internal party affair and not subject to judicial intervention.

    The faction maintained that due process was followed in organising the convention and urged the court to set aside earlier rulings against it.

    Lower courts uphold nullification

    However, lower courts had consistently ruled against the faction, nullifying the convention and restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising its outcome.

    The courts also issued orders affecting access to the party’s national secretariat amid the leadership dispute.

    The Court of Appeal had earlier upheld two Federal High Court judgments in Abuja that barred the PDP from proceeding with the convention until it complied with provisions of the Electoral Act and the 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.

    Key court findings

    In one ruling, Justice James Omotosho held that the party failed to conduct valid state congresses as required by law and its constitution, rendering the convention invalid.

    In another decision, Justice Peter Lifu barred the party from proceeding with the exercise until former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, was allowed to participate in the national chairmanship race.

    The court found that Lamido was unjustly excluded from the process.

    Background to the dispute

    The legal challenge was initiated by aggrieved PDP members, including state executives from Imo, Abia, and the South-South region.

    The cases have deepened the party’s internal leadership crisis, which is now awaiting final resolution at the Supreme Court.

  • Supreme Court Pushes Kano Emirate Battle to 2027, Case to Resume After Elections

    The Supreme Court of Nigeria has adjourned proceedings in the long-running Kano Emirate dispute to April 19, 2027, effectively pushing further hearing until after the next general elections.

    The decision was announced after parties adopted their preliminary arguments at the resumed sitting.

    What the case is about

    The suit centres on the legality of actions taken by successive Kano State governments over the restructuring of the emirate system and the occupancy of the Kano throne.

    At the heart of the dispute are rival claims linked to the 2020 deposition of the 14th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, and the subsequent appointment of Aminu Ado Bayero.

    The controversy deepened after later developments saw Sanusi reinstated following policy reversals by a new administration.

    How the crisis started

    The dispute dates back to 2019 when the Kano State Government under former governor Abdullahi Ganduje created additional emirates, splitting the system into Kano, Bichi, Rano, Karaye and Gaya.

    The move sparked widespread reactions and legal challenges.

    In 2024, the administration of Governor Abba Yusuf repealed the law establishing the new emirates, dissolved them and reinstated Sanusi, triggering fresh litigation from opposing parties.

    Latest court position

    At the Supreme Court, the case was filed by a claimant challenging the legality of the repeal law and subsequent actions by the state government and the House of Assembly.

    With the new adjournment date, the apex court has left the issues unresolved for now, prolonging one of the most closely watched traditional and political disputes in the country.

  • PDP BoT Takes Over Party Leadership After Supreme Court Ruling

    The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken over the party’s national leadership following the Supreme Court ruling that nullified key structures.

    BoT moves to prevent leadership vacuum

    In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by BoT Chairman Adolphus Wabara, the body said its intervention was necessary to stabilise the party and avoid a vacuum.

    The trustees said the court’s decision invalidated the PDP national convention held in Ibadan on November 15 and 16, 2025.

    Court ruling dissolves party structures

    According to the BoT, the judgment nullified the National Working Committee led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki and upheld the suspension of key officials, including Samuel Anyanwu, Umar Bature, and Kamaldeen Ajibade.

    It added that all decisions taken by the affected leadership, including the appointment of an acting national chairman and the formation of a caretaker committee, are now void.

    BoT assumes control of party affairs

    Following the ruling, the trustees declared that both the Turaki-led and Abdulrahman Mohammed-led structures stand dissolved.

    “The BoT hereby immediately assumes responsibility of the national working leadership of the PDP,” the statement said.

    The body described the move as a constitutional step to restore order and reposition the party.

    Emergency NEC meeting planned

    The BoT also announced plans to convene an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to appoint an interim National Working Committee.

    The interim leadership is expected to manage party affairs and prepare for the 2027 general elections in line with the Electoral Act 2026.

    Party staff have been directed to resume duties at the national secretariat under BoT supervision pending the emergence of a new leadership structure.

    Call for unity among members

    The trustees commended party stakeholders, including Governors Bala Mohammed and Seyi Makinde, for their roles during the crisis.

    They urged members to set aside differences and work together to rebuild the party.

    “The PDP has suffered enough,” the statement added, calling for reconciliation and collective action.