ADC crisis: Supreme Court to hear Mark-led faction appeal against Nafiu Bala on Tuesday

The Supreme Court has fixed April 14 for the hearing of an appeal filed by David Mark, national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in the ongoing leadership dispute with Nafiu Bala.

The appeal, marked SC/CV/180/2026, challenges a ruling of the Court of Appeal delivered on March 12, which forms the basis of the current crisis within the party. Mark is seeking an order of the apex court to stay the execution of that judgment pending the determination of his appeal.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), hearing notices were issued to all parties on Friday through the litigation department of the Supreme Court.

In the suit, filed by his counsel, Realwan Okpanachi, Mark is also asking the court to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from making any changes to the party’s leadership structure as currently constituted under his leadership, pending the resolution of the appeal.

He further requested an order to halt proceedings in a related case — suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025 — before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The respondents in the appeal include Bala, the ADC, Rauf Aregbesola (national secretary), INEC, and Ralph Nwosu.

Meanwhile, the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, has also scheduled April 14 to hear Bala’s suit challenging Mark’s leadership of the party.

With both matters slated for the same day, legal observers say the lower court may adjourn or suspend proceedings in deference to the Supreme Court, in line with the hierarchy of courts.

The case marks a critical stage in the internal crisis rocking the ADC, as both factions seek judicial validation of their claims to the party’s leadership ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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