Pat Stevens/
A formal letter to the Chief Justice of Nigeria has raised concerns within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that further delay in the Supreme Court’s judgment on its leadership dispute could jeopardise the party’s ability to fully participate in the 2027 general elections.
In the letter dated April 28, 2026, ADC counsel, Shaibu Enejo Aruwa (SAN), writing on behalf of the party, urged the apex court to expedite judgment in Suit No. SC/CV/180/2026 involving David Mark, Nafiu Bala Gombe, and other respondents.
The correspondence warns that prolonged delay risks placing the ADC in a position of electoral uncertainty at a critical point in Nigeria’s political timetable.
The appeal was heard on April 22, with judgment subsequently reserved.
However, the party argues that the absence of a final ruling is already producing practical and legal consequences, particularly in relation to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stance on the matter.
INEC has reportedly relied on earlier court directives, including a Court of Appeal order maintaining the “status quo ante bellum”, to decline recognition of any of the competing leadership factions within the ADC.
This position has effectively left the party without an officially recognised national leadership structure, a development that stakeholders say could hinder core political functions.
Legal observers note that this situation has created a governance vacuum within the party, raising questions about its capacity to conduct primaries, submit candidates, and meet statutory obligations ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle.
The dispute stems from an internal leadership tussle that intensified in 2025 following the emergence of a faction led by David Mark, which was challenged in court by Nafiu Bala Gombe.
The matter has since moved through multiple judicial levels, with conflicting interpretations of earlier rulings contributing to the ongoing uncertainty.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has also adjourned related proceedings indefinitely, opting to await the Supreme Court’s determination on jurisdictional issues.
This has further stalled resolution of the crisis and deepened ambiguity around the party’s legal standing.
In its letter, the ADC emphasised that the electoral timetable for the 2027 general elections is already underway and warned that continued delay in judgment could have far-reaching consequences for both the party and its supporters.
The Supreme Court’s eventual decision is now widely seen as pivotal, not only in resolving the internal leadership conflict but also in determining the party’s ability to participate meaningfully in Nigeria’s next general election cycle.
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