Fresh pressure is mounting on Nigeria’s Supreme Court to resolve the internal crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress, as a faction loyal to David Mark pushes for an immediate ruling on the dispute.
The group, in a letter addressed to Chief Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun and dated April 28, 2026, said the delay in delivering judgment could severely undermine its preparations for the 2027 general elections. The court had reserved its decision after hearing the appeal on April 22.
At the centre of the case, filed as SC/CV/180/2026, is a prolonged leadership battle between rival camps within the party. The Mark-aligned faction is seeking to overturn earlier decisions, including a Court of Appeal ruling that sustained a status quo order backing the opposing group.
In its correspondence, the faction described the wait for judgment as a serious threat, warning that prolonged uncertainty could edge the party out of the electoral process and weaken the chances of its members contesting under its platform.
The group also criticised the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accusing the electoral body of already acting on the lower court ruling by withdrawing recognition of its leadership, a development it said has complicated compliance with electoral requirements.
With the 2027 election timetable already in motion, the faction maintained that only a swift Supreme Court verdict can restore clarity and allow the party to organise effectively. It warned that continued delay could leave the ADC without a recognised leadership structure ahead of the polls.
The roots of the crisis date back to 2025, when disagreements over leadership control and political alignments triggered a split that has since deepened within the party.
