The Supreme Court is set to hear an appeal filed by the faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President, , against the rival group headed by Nafiu Bala.
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In the appeal, Mark is asking the apex court to grant an order staying the execution of the Court of Appeal judgment delivered on March 12, 2025. He is also seeking additional injunctions amid the protracted leadership crisis rocking the party, particularly following actions taken by the (INEC).
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has fixed Tuesday, April 14, for the hearing of the appeal. Mark, who is the embattled factional national chairman of the ADC, is challenging the authority of the Bala-led faction over the party’s leadership structure.
Through his counsel, Realwan Okpanachi, Mark urged the court to grant an order staying the execution of the appellate court’s judgment pending the hearing and final determination of the appeal.
He is also asking the court to restrain INEC from altering the current national leadership structure of the ADC as constituted under his leadership, pending the outcome of the case. In addition, Mark is seeking an order to halt further proceedings in the suit before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The legal dispute dates back to September 4, 2025, when Mark filed an appeal challenging a ruling by Justice Nwite on an ex parte application initiated by the Bala faction.
The ADC has been embroiled in a leadership crisis, with two factions laying claim to the party’s national structure. The situation has resulted in conflicting court orders and uncertainty over legitimate control of the party.
The crisis deepened after INEC derecognised Mark as the national chairman of the ADC in its official records, a move that sparked protests from his supporters. They accused the (APC) and President of influencing the decision—allegations that have been denied by INEC, the APC, and the Presidency.
A protest organised by the Mark-led faction was attended by prominent political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, as well as former governors Rauf Aregbesola, Peter Obi, and Rotimi Amaechi.
In response, the Bala-led faction staged a counter-protest, urging INEC to recognise it as the legitimate leadership of the party.
Meanwhile, former PDP presidential aspirant, , has joined the ADC. His defection was announced in a statement by his media office on Sunday, April 12, further intensifying political interest in the party amid the ongoing leadership dispute.
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