Nigeria’s apex court has reserved judgment in the legal battle over the leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC), with former Senate President David Mark at the centre of the dispute.
A five-member panel of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, led by Justice Mohammed Garba, fixed a date for judgment after all parties adopted their final written addresses on Wednesday.
Mark, who leads one faction of the party, is challenging a March 12 ruling by the Court of Appeal which directed all parties to maintain the status quo pending resolution of the crisis.
In his appeal, the former Senate President argued that the appellate court overstepped its jurisdiction, insisting that the matter concerns internal party affairs, which he said are beyond judicial interference.
The suit was originally filed by aggrieved party members led by Nafiu Bala Gombe, who questioned the legitimacy of the Mark-led leadership.
Other respondents in the case include the ADC, its National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and former national chairman Ralph Nwosu.
Mark is also seeking a court order restraining INEC from recognising any leadership outside his faction pending the final determination of the case.
However, the respondents urged the apex court to dismiss the appeal, maintaining that the lower court acted within its powers.
The leadership tussle has already drawn regulatory action, with INEC removing the names of the rival leaders from its portal and withholding recognition of any faction until the legal dispute is resolved.
The forthcoming judgment is expected to determine the direction of the party’s leadership and could have wider implications for its role ahead of future elections.
Elijah Adeyemi
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