The Supreme Court of Nigeria is set to hear separate appeals on Tuesday arising from leadership disputes within two major opposition parties, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
One of the appeals was filed by embattled ADC National Chairman, David Mark, while the second was brought by a faction of the PDP backed by Seyi Makinde and led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN). Both appeals challenge earlier judgments delivered by the Court of Appeal of Nigeria.
The PDP crisis is now headed for judicial resolution at the apex court after the Turaki-led faction challenged the appellate court decision that nullified its national convention and leadership structure. The faction argues that allowing the ruling to stand could destabilise the party, prompting it to seek a final determination from the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, Mark, a former Senate President, is seeking an order to stay the execution of the appellate court’s March 12 judgment affecting the leadership of the ADC pending the determination of his appeal.
A hearing notice in Appeal No: SC/CV/180/2026, between Mark and Nafiu-Bala Gombe and four others, has been fixed for April 14. The notice was issued through the litigation department of the apex court and sighted in Abuja.
The date coincides with an earlier hearing scheduled before Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in a related matter. However, the lower court may suspend its proceedings in deference to the Supreme Court, in line with the hierarchy of courts.
In the appeal, Mark listed Gombe, the ADC, Rauf Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and former ADC National Chairman Ralph Nwosu as the first to fifth respondents.
Through his lawyer, Realwan Okpanachi, Mark is asking the court to stay execution of the appellate court judgment and restrain INEC from recognising any person other than him and the current national officers of the party pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.
He also requested an order restraining INEC from altering the party’s leadership structure under his leadership, as well as an order staying further proceedings in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025 before Justice Nwite until the Supreme Court resolves the matter.
The application, filed under relevant constitutional provisions and the Supreme Court Rules, is supported by 12 grounds. Okpanachi argued that the appellate court, in its March 12 ruling in Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/145/2026, directed parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum.
According to the lawyer, Gombe relied on the order to write to INEC urging the commission not to recognise Mark and other national officers of the ADC, a move he described as an attempt to enforce the judgment prematurely.
Okpanachi further stated that Mark filed his notice of appeal on March 16, while the record of appeal was transmitted on March 31 and duly entered before the apex court.
“Unless this application is granted, the judgment of the Court of Appeal will be enforced and the appeal rendered nugatory,” the lawyer argued, adding that the appeal raises substantial legal issues and that the balance of justice favours granting the application.
Confirming the development, ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi said both the Supreme Court appeal and the related Federal High Court case were scheduled for the same day.
“Yes. The information I have is that they are scheduled on the same day. I don’t know if it’s the same time, but it’s the same day,” he said.
