The Supreme Court of Nigeria has vacated an earlier order directing the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to maintain the status quo ante bellum in its ongoing leadership dispute, effectively restoring the leadership structure led by former Senate President, David Mark.
In a unanimous judgment delivered by a five-member panel headed by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, the apex court held that the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal exceeded its jurisdiction by issuing the order after it had already dismissed the substantive appeal brought before it by one of the party’s factions.
The court described the action as “unnecessary, unwarranted and improper,” stressing that such an order could not validly subsist after the dismissal of the appeal.
While ruling that the appeal filed by Senator Mark succeeded in part, the Supreme Court, however, dismissed the aspect challenging an ex parte order of the Federal High Court regarding the service of court processes in the suit initiated by aggrieved members of the party.
The apex court further directed all parties involved in the dispute to return to the trial court for the continuation and determination of the substantive matter.
The leadership tussle within the ADC had earlier prompted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to delist David Mark and former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as the party’s National Chairman and Secretary, respectively, from its official portal on April 1.
INEC had explained that its action was based on the Court of Appeal’s directive to maintain the status quo ante bellum, adding that it would not recognise any faction of the party pending the final resolution of the legal dispute.
With the Supreme Court’s latest ruling, attention now shifts back to the lower court, where the substantive issues surrounding the ADC leadership crisis are expected to be fully determined.
The development marks a significant turn in the internal crisis rocking the party, with implications for its organisational stability ahead of future political contests.
