The Supreme Court is set to deliver judgment today in two high-stakes political cases involving the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)—rulings that could significantly reshape Nigeria’s opposition landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.
At the centre of both disputes are questions about the limits of judicial intervention in party affairs and the legitimacy of rival leadership factions. In the ADC case, a former Senate President, David Mark, is asking the apex court to overturn earlier rulings that allowed a suit challenging the party’s leadership to proceed. Mark’s counsel, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), argued that the courts lack jurisdiction over internal party matters, citing a March 21, 2025, Supreme Court decision which held that such disputes fall outside judicial authority.
He urged the court to uphold that precedent and nullify proceedings at the Federal High Court. However, counsel to Nafiu Gombe, Robert Emukpero (SAN), countered that Mark’s appeal lacks merit and should be dismissed, insisting the lower courts acted within the law. The Court of Appeal had earlier ruled against Mark, describing his appeal as premature and filed without leave. It ordered the case to return to trial and directed parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum.
Following that directive, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) withdrew recognition of the Mark-led leadership pending judicial resolution of the party’s authentic leadership. Dissatisfied, Mark escalated the matter to the Supreme Court, also challenging an order enforcing the status quo.
