By Vincent Egunyanga, Abuja
The Supreme Court on Wednesday reserved judgment in separate appeals arising from leadership and internal governance crises in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
A five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Mohammed Garba, fixed judgment for a date to be communicated to parties after counsel in the matters adopted their respective written briefs.
Garba said, “Judgment in these appeals is hereby reserved to a date that will be communicated to all parties.”
In the ADC appeal, a factional National Chairman, Senator David Mark, is challenging the March 12, 2026 judgment of the Court of Appeal, which dismissed his earlier appeal over the party’s leadership tussle.
Counsel in the matter argued that the lower courts failed to properly consider the urgency and implications of the leadership dispute, urging the apex court to intervene.
“The issues raised go to the heart of the party’s leadership and require urgent judicial determination,” one of the lawyers submitted.
The dispute traces back to a September 4, 2025, ruling of the Federal High Court in Abuja, delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite, which declined to grant injunctive relief sought in an ex parte application filed by party chieftain, Nafiu Bala Gombe.
At the centre of the litigation is a prolonged crisis over the legitimate national leadership structure of the ADC, with parallel claims continuing to trail the party’s hierarchy.
In a related development, the court also reserved judgment in an appeal filed by the PDP seeking to overturn decisions of lower courts which nullified its November 15–16, 2025, national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Counsel to the Tanimu Turaki-led faction urged the court to allow the appeal, arguing that “the matter borders strictly on internal party affairs which are not justiciable.”
He added, “Due process was followed in the conduct of the convention, and the courts ought not to have interfered.”
However, opposing counsel maintained that the lower courts were right, insisting that the party violated its own rules and statutory provisions.
“The evidence before the court clearly shows non-compliance with the Electoral Act and the party’s constitution,” the lawyer argued.
Earlier judgments had nullified the convention, barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising its outcome, and, in some instances, restricted access to the party’s national secretariat.
The Federal High Court, in separate rulings, also restrained the PDP from proceeding with the convention over failure to conduct valid state congresses and for excluding a former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, from contesting the national chairmanship.
Justice James Omotosho had held that the party failed to meet constitutional requirements.
At the same time, Justice Peter Lifu ruled that Lamido “was unjustly denied the opportunity to obtain nomination forms,” in breach of the PDP’s constitution and internal regulations.
With judgment now reserved in both matters, stakeholders await definitive pronouncements that could reshape leadership structures and internal processes within the two opposition parties.
