BREAKING NEWS: Supreme Court Throws Out David Mark Stay Application As ADC Leadership Crisis Deepens

 

THE Supreme Court on Tuesday (today) struck out an application seeking a stay of execution of a Court of Appeal ruling in the ongoing leadership dispute within the Action Democratic Congress (ADC), a decision that has further complicated the party’s internal crisis ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The application, filed by former Senate President and current National Chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark, was withdrawn in open court by his counsel, Jibril Okutekpa, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), before a five-member panel of the apex court led by Justice Lawal Garba.

Following the withdrawal, the Supreme Court formally struck out the motion, effectively bringing an end to that particular request for interim relief connected to the enforcement of the Appeal Court’s 22 March 2026 decision, which had triggered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to derecognise the Mark-led leadership of the ADC.

INEC action linked to appeal court ruling

Okutekpa told the court that INEC’s interpretation of the Court of Appeal judgment had, in effect, left the party without a recognised leadership structure. He argued that the injunctive order directing parties to maintain status quo antebellum had been interpreted in a way that created a leadership vacuum within the party.

He further urged the apex court to intervene urgently, citing time constraints and the need to resolve the matter expeditiously in view of preparations for the next general elections.

Supreme Court pushes for accelerated hearing

Although the application was struck out, the Supreme Court made procedural orders aimed at accelerating the substantive appeal. The panel directed that timelines for the filing and exchange of legal briefs be abridged, stressing the urgency of the dispute given its political implications.

The court subsequently fixed 22 April 2026, for the hearing of the substantive appeal, signalling an expedited review of the leadership tussle.

Origin of the ADC leadership dispute

The crisis stems from a suit filed by Nafiu-Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC, who is challenging the legitimacy of the current leadership structure headed by Senator David Mark and former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola.

Gombe is seeking court orders restraining Mark from parading himself as National Chairman, and Aregbesola as National Secretary, while also asking the court to stop INEC from recognising their leadership of the party.

INEC has, however, maintained a position of neutrality, withholding recognition of any faction pending the final judicial determination of the dispute.

INEC delists party leaders from portal

The crisis escalated further on or around April 1, 2026, when INEC removed the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC. The commission cited the Court of Appeal’s status quo directive and related legal correspondence as the basis for its action.

The latest Supreme Court development now adds another layer to the already tense legal battle, as all eyes turn to the April 22 hearing, which is expected to be pivotal in determining the future leadership of the party.