The Supreme Court has set aside the order directing the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to maintain status quo ante bellum in the ongoing leadership dispute within the party, effectively restoring the leadership structure headed by former Senate President David Mark.
In a unanimous judgment delivered by a five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, the apex court ruled that the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal exceeded its jurisdiction by issuing the status quo order after it had already dismissed the matter brought before it by one of the party’s factions.
The court held that issuing such an order after dismissing the appeal was unnecessary, unwarranted, and improper.
According to the Supreme Court, the appeal filed by Senator David Mark succeeded in part, while the aspect challenging the ex parte order of the Federal High Court regarding service of court processes was dismissed.
The apex court subsequently directed all parties involved in the dispute to return to the trial court for the continuation of hearing on the substantive matter.
The leadership crisis had earlier prompted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as ADC National Chairman and National Secretary respectively on April 1, citing the Court of Appeal ruling.
INEC had maintained that, in line with the earlier order to preserve the status quo, it would not recognise any of the contending factions until the legal dispute was fully resolved.
The latest Supreme Court ruling is expected to significantly shape the leadership structure of the opposition party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
