The Supreme Court will on Tuesday hear an appeal filed by former Senate President, David Mark, challenging a suit instituted by former Deputy National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Nafiu Bala, over the leadership of the party.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that the appeal is part of ongoing legal battles arising from the leadership crisis that has divided the party into rival factions.
In the appeal filed by his counsel, Rilwan Okpanachi, Mark urged the apex court to grant an order staying the execution of the Court of Appeal judgment delivered on March 12.
He also asked the court to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission from altering the party’s current leadership structure pending the determination of the appeal.
Mark further requested an order stopping further proceedings in a related suit currently before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The appeal followed a ruling delivered on September 4, 2025, by Justice Nwite of the Federal High Court on an ex parte application filed by Bala, a chieftain of the party.
The ADC has been facing a deepening leadership crisis, with rival factions laying claim to the party’s national structure.
The dispute has resulted in multiple court cases and administrative uncertainty over the party’s legitimate leadership.
The crisis intensified after the Independent National Electoral Commission reportedly removed Mark’s name as national chairman from its official records.
The development triggered protests by the Mark-led National Working Committee.
The protest was attended by prominent political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
Meanwhile, a rival National Working Committee led by Nafiu Bala also staged a counter-protest demanding recognition by INEC.
The faction insisted that the electoral body should acknowledge its leadership of the party.
The Supreme Court’s decision on the appeal is expected to play a significant role in determining the direction of the party’s leadership crisis.