The Supreme Court has fixed Thursday, April 30, 2026, for judgment in the leadership disputes of two major opposition parties — the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) .
A five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Garba heard both appeals on April 22 and subsequently reserved judgment . The ADC appeal, marked SC/CV/180/2026, is scheduled for 2pm . The time for the PDP ruling has not been confirmed .
The ADC case stems from a protracted leadership crisis between former Senate President David Mark and a faction led by Nafiu Bala Gombe .
Mark is challenging a March 12 Court of Appeal ruling that directed parties to maintain the status quo . He argues that the appellate court exceeded its jurisdiction, insisting the dispute concerns internal party affairs that courts lack power to adjudicate .
Respondents — including the ADC, its National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, INEC, and former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu — have urged the apex court to dismiss the appeal, maintaining the lower court acted within its jurisdiction .
ADC lawyers recently wrote to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, warning that delayed judgment could jeopardise the party’s 2027 elections participation. They noted that INEC has allegedly de-recognised the Mark-led leadership following a lower court ruling, leaving the ADC without a formal leadership structure .
“The ADC’s ability to comply with these statutory requirements to participate in the 2027 general elections is wholly dependent on the timely delivery of judgment,” the lawyers stated .
The PDP appeal concerns validation of the party’s November 2025 national convention held in Ibadan, which lower courts previously nullified .
Thursday’s rulings will determine which factions control the parties ahead of the 2027 general elections .
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