The leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) took a new turn after the Supreme Court delivered its judgment, restoring Senator David Mark as National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary of the party.
The ruling was given on Thursday, April 30, 2026, by a five-member panel of the apex court.
The court also cancelled the earlier order of the Court of Appeal which had asked all parties to maintain the status quo in the dispute. It then directed that the case should return to the Federal High Court for full hearing and final decision.
Following the judgment, the ADC reacted through its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, who said the party accepts the decision and sees it as support for its current leadership structure.
He also praised the judiciary for its role in handling the matter.
Even with the outcome at the Supreme Court, the party made it clear that the matter is not completely over.
It pointed to ongoing concerns about interference and actions that it believes are aimed at weakening opposition parties in the country.
The crisis started after a former vice-chairman of the party, Nafiu Bala, went to court to challenge the leadership led by David Mark.
He insisted he should take over the position based on the party’s constitution after the exit of the former chairman, Ralph Nwosu.
He also asked the court to stop the Mark-led executives from acting as leaders of the party and to prevent the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising them.
The Federal High Court had earlier taken initial steps on the case, while the Court of Appeal later dismissed an appeal filed by Mark and ordered parties to maintain the existing situation.
That order led INEC to suspend recognition of both factions within the party.
Not satisfied with the Appeal Court’s decision, Mark approached the Supreme Court. The apex court agreed in part with earlier findings but ruled that the Appeal Court went too far by issuing the status quo order after dismissing the appeal.
It then set aside that order and asked all sides to return to the trial court.
Reacting to the latest judgment, the ADC called on its members and supporters across the country to remain alert and continue backing the party, stating that it remains committed to presenting itself as a strong option in Nigeria’s political space.
