Nigeria’s Supreme Court on Thursday affirmed David Mark as the legitimate National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), delivering a pivotal judgment that could significantly influence political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections. The ruling brings clarity to an internal leadership dispute within the party and addresses key legal questions surrounding the actions of lower courts in the matter.
The decision was reached unanimously by a five-member panel of justices led by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba. In its verdict, the apex court strongly criticized the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, stating that it exceeded its constitutional authority in handling the case. According to the Supreme Court, the appellate court acted improperly by issuing an additional directive after it had already dismissed the suit filed by one of the factions within the ADC.
Central to the Supreme Court’s reasoning was the principle that once a court dismisses a case, it no longer retains the jurisdiction to make further consequential orders on the same matter. The justices emphasized that the Court of Appeal’s instruction to maintain the status quo ante bellum—essentially restoring parties to their previous positions—was inappropriate under the circumstances. The apex court described the directive as merely preservatory in nature and ruled that it was wrongly granted, given that the case had already been struck out.
The Supreme Court also examined the appeal brought before it by David Mark, which challenged various aspects of the lower court decisions. While the apex court upheld parts of his appeal, it did not grant all the reliefs sought. Specifically, the court dismissed the segment of the appeal that questioned the validity of an ex parte order issued earlier by the Federal High Court. That order had permitted the service of legal documents on parties involved in the suit initiated by aggrieved members of the ADC.
In striking this balance, the Supreme Court clarified that while certain procedural steps taken by the Federal High Court were valid, the subsequent actions of the Court of Appeal went beyond acceptable legal boundaries. The ruling thus reinforces the importance of judicial discipline and adherence to due process, particularly in politically sensitive cases involving party leadership disputes.
As part of its final orders, the apex court directed all parties involved in the conflict to return to the trial court for the continuation and proper determination of the case. This means that while the Supreme Court has resolved key jurisdictional issues and affirmed David Mark’s position, the substantive matters raised by dissenting members of the party are yet to be fully adjudicated. The case will therefore proceed at the lower court level, where evidence will be examined and arguments heard in detail.
The judgment also has broader implications for Nigeria’s electoral and political landscape. Prior to this ruling, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had withdrawn recognition of the ADC leadership under David Mark, citing an earlier judgment from the Court of Appeal as the basis for its decision. With the Supreme Court now invalidating aspects of that appellate court ruling, the electoral body may need to reassess its stance regarding the party’s recognized leadership.
Political observers note that the outcome of this case could shape internal party stability within the ADC and influence alliances as political actors begin strategizing for the next general elections. Leadership disputes within parties often have ripple effects, affecting candidate selection, party cohesion, and overall electoral performance. By affirming David Mark as National Chairman, the Supreme Court has provided a measure of certainty, although the ongoing legal proceedings at the trial court indicate that some issues remain unresolved.
Overall, the ruling underscores the Supreme Court’s role as the final arbiter in constitutional and political disputes. It also highlights the necessity for lower courts to operate strictly within the limits of their jurisdiction. As the case returns to the trial court for continuation, stakeholders within the ADC and the wider political community will be watching closely to see how the remaining issues are settled and what impact they may have on the party’s future trajectory.
