Isaac Samuel
The Supreme Court of Nigeria on Wednesday reserved judgment in the appeal filed by former Senate President, David Mark, over the leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
A five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Mohammed Garba, adjourned the matter after parties adopted their final written addresses.
Mark, who leads a faction of the party, is challenging the March 12 judgment of the Court of Appeal, which directed all parties to maintain the status quo in the dispute.
In his appeal, the former Senate President argued that the appellate court overreached its jurisdiction, insisting that the matter relates to internal party affairs which, he said, are not justiciable.
The suit was instituted by aggrieved party members led by Nafiu Bala Gombe, who are contesting the legitimacy of the Mark-led leadership.
Other respondents include the ADC, its National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and former national chairman Ralph Nwosu.
Mark is also seeking an order restraining INEC from recognising any leadership other than his faction pending the determination of the appeal.
The respondents, however, urged the Supreme Court to dismiss the appeal, arguing that the lower court acted within its powers.
The leadership crisis has already prompted regulatory caution, with INEC reportedly removing contending factions from its portal and withholding recognition of any leadership until the legal dispute is resolved.
