The Supreme Court of Nigeria yesterday reserved judgment in appeals and cross-appeals arising from leadership disputes within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), leaving both parties in a state of uncertainty ahead of critical deadlines set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The apex court, after hearing arguments from all parties, declined to fix a date for its rulings, a decision that carries significant implications for the feuding factions and the broader political landscape.
At the heart of the matter is the PDP’s internal leadership struggle and the ADC’s more complex crisis involving three rival factions. While the PDP’s case has already reshaped its leadership structure, the ADC faces the possibility of exclusion from the 2027 general elections if the Supreme Court does not deliver its verdict within the next 18 days. INEC has mandated all registered political parties to submit their membership registers by May 10, failing which they will not be eligible to sponsor candidates.
PDP Leadership Dispute
The PDP’s crisis stems from earlier court decisions that nullified its Ibadan convention, which produced Kabiru Turaki as national chairman, and upheld the suspension of several party officials. These rulings effectively placed the party’s national executive, backed by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, in control. INEC currently recognizes this faction as the legitimate leadership pending the Supreme Court’s final verdict.
Following proceedings at the apex court, the Turaki-led PDP faction issued a statement through its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, expressing confidence in the judiciary. “We charge all true and uncompromised PDP members to keep their faith alive,” Ememobong said, adding that the party remained hopeful the court would deliver judgments that preserve multi-party democracy and prevent the emergence of a one-party state. He emphasized the Supreme Court’s historical role as “the last hope of Nigeria and Nigerians, even in the face of immense pressure and unimaginable risk.”
The Wike-backed faction, dissatisfied with the rulings of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, approached the Supreme Court seeking a declaration that the lower courts lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter, arguing that it arose from internal party affairs. Conversely, respondents led by Samuel Anyanwu filed a cross-appeal urging the apex court to set aside the suspension of key officials, including Anyanwu and A.K. Ajibade, SAN.
ADC’s More Complex Crisis
The ADC’s situation appears more precarious. None of its three factions—led by Senator David Mark, Nafiu Bala Gombe, and Ogga Temitope—is currently recognized by INEC. This lack of recognition places the party at risk of exclusion from the ballot if the Supreme Court does not resolve the dispute before INEC’s May 10 deadline.
Speaking after the Supreme Court reserved judgment in the ADC matter, Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary of the Mark-led faction, expressed optimism. “We are optimistic with the fact that the things came up quickly and the Supreme Court is mindful of the exigency of the moment. We are optimistic that their ruling will be in record time and quite optimistic of the ruling going in our favour,” he said in a telephone interview.
The appeal, marked SC/CV/180/2026, was filed by Senator Mark, who leads a faction backed by prominent opposition figures. He seeks to overturn a March 12 Court of Appeal judgment, which he argued was against the interest of justice. Mark contended that the appellate court exceeded its jurisdiction by ordering maintenance of the status quo ante bellum in a suit filed by aggrieved members led by Nafiu Bala Gombe. He maintained that the dispute involved internal party affairs, in which courts lacked jurisdiction to intervene.
Respondents in the appeal include the ADC, former Minister Rauf Aregbesola, INEC, and immediate past national chairman Ralph Nwosu. Mark’s legal team, led by Jubril Okutepa, SAN, argued that the matter was non-justiciable, citing previous Supreme Court rulings. They sought orders restraining INEC from recognizing any faction other than Mark’s and barring the commission from altering the party’s leadership structure pending determination of the appeal.
INEC, however, had already removed Mark and Aregbesola from its portal and website as ADC National Chairman and Secretary, respectively, citing the Court of Appeal’s judgment. The electoral body stated it would not recognize any faction until the Supreme Court delivers its ruling. Despite this, the ADC has vowed to proceed with its scheduled national convention.
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had earlier adjourned indefinitely the hearing of a substantive case filed by Gombe seeking to sack Mark’s leadership. He explained that proceeding with the matter while a related appeal was pending before the Supreme Court would amount to “judicial rascality.”
Broader Implications
The Supreme Court’s reserved judgment has far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s political system. For the PDP, the ruling will determine whether the Wike-backed faction retains control or whether suspended officials regain their positions. The outcome could reshape the party’s internal dynamics ahead of the 2027 elections, influencing its ability to present a united front against the ruling party.
For the ADC, the stakes are even higher. Failure to resolve its leadership crisis before INEC’s deadline could result in the party’s exclusion from the ballot, effectively silencing one of Nigeria’s opposition voices. Such an outcome would not only weaken the country’s multi-party system but also raise questions about the inclusiveness of the democratic process.
The disputes also highlight broader challenges in Nigeria’s political landscape, where internal party conflicts often spill into the courts, creating uncertainty for members and voters alike. The judiciary’s role in adjudicating these disputes underscores its importance in safeguarding democratic principles, but also raises concerns about judicial overreach into matters traditionally considered internal party affairs.
What Comes Next
As the Supreme Court deliberates, both parties await rulings that could redefine their futures. For the PDP, the decision will clarify whether its current leadership remains legitimate or whether suspended officials are reinstated. For the ADC, the verdict will determine whether it remains a viable political force or faces exclusion from the 2027 elections.
Observers note that the Supreme Court’s eventual rulings will not only shape the immediate fortunes of the PDP and ADC but also set precedents for how internal party disputes are handled in Nigeria. With INEC’s deadline looming, the urgency of the situation cannot be overstated. The coming weeks will test the judiciary’s ability to balance legal principles with the practical realities of Nigeria’s democratic process.
Ultimately, the fate of two major opposition parties now rests with the Supreme Court, whose decisions will reverberate across Nigeria’s political landscape and influence the trajectory of the country’s democracy in the years ahead.
