Breaking: Supreme Court restores David Mark-led ADC leadership
Supreme Court Vacates Order Affecting African Democratic Congress Leadership Dispute
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri
ABUJA—The Supreme Court has vacated an order that required the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to maintain the status quo pending the resolution of its ongoing leadership crisis.
In a unanimous decision, a five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba determined that the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal exceeded its jurisdiction by issuing the order after already dismissing a related case brought by one of the factions involved.
The Supreme Court stated, “Giving such an order in an appeal it had already dismissed was unnecessary, unwarranted and improper.”
The court found that an appeal filed by Senator David Mark was partially successful, although it dismissed the portion challenging an ex parte order from the Federal High Court concerning the service of processes in a lawsuit initiated by dissatisfied party members.
As a result of the ruling, the apex court directed the factions to return to the trial court to continue hearings on the case.
Notably, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had removed Senator Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as the ADC National Chairman and Secretary, respectively, on April 1, citing the Court of Appeal’s decision. The electoral body indicated that it would not recognize any faction until the legal dispute surrounding the party’s leadership is resolved.
