By Musa Ibrahim, Abuja
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has appealed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, to ensure the speedy delivery of a Supreme Court judgment on its lingering leadership crisis, warning that any delay could jeopardize its participation in the 2027 general elections.
In a letter dated April 28, a faction of the party led by David Mark cautioned that failure of the apex court to deliver judgment within three days could expose the party to “grave and irreversible” exclusion from the electoral process.
The party drew the attention of the CJN to the timetable and schedule of activities already released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stressing that its ability to meet statutory requirements hinges on a timely resolution of the dispute before the court.
According to the letter, signed by counsel to the faction, Mr. Shuaibu Aruwa, SAN, the appeal was heard on April 22, 2026, with judgment reserved for a later date yet to be communicated.
“My Lord, the ADC’s ability to comply with statutory requirements for participation in the 2027 general elections is wholly dependent on the timely delivery of judgment in this appeal,” the letter stated.
It added, “Without the delivery of judgment within the next three days, the ADC stands the grave and irreversible risk of being excluded from participating in the elections. This would disenfranchise millions of Nigerians and deny them their constitutional right to associate and contest elections through a political party of their choice.”
The party further noted that the leadership vacuum was triggered after INEC, acting on a Court of Appeal ruling, removed key party officials from its official records, leaving the ADC without a recognized leadership structure.
A five-member panel of the Supreme Court, headed by Justice Mohammed Garba, had reserved judgment after hearing arguments from all parties in the appeal marked SC/CV/180/2026.
The appeal, filed by Mark, seeks to overturn a March 12 judgment of the Court of Appeal, which ordered the maintenance of status quo in a suit initiated by aggrieved members led by Nafiu-Bala Gombe.
Mark argued that the matter concerns internal party affairs, which courts traditionally lack jurisdiction to adjudicate.
Respondents in the case include Gombe, the ADC, its National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, INEC, and former National Chairman Chief Ralph Nwosu.
Among other reliefs, the appellant is asking the court to restrain INEC from recognizing any leadership outside his faction and to halt ongoing proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja pending the determination of the appeal.
Meanwhile, the letter has been officially received and acknowledged by the office of the CJN.
At the Federal High Court, Justice Emeka Nwite had earlier adjourned indefinitely a related suit filed to challenge the Mark-led leadership, citing the pending appeal before the Supreme Court.
He ruled that continuing proceedings would amount to “judicial rascality” while the apex court is yet to decide on the matter.
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