Isaac Samuel
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has updated its official website to reflect the restoration of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by David Mark, following the Supreme Court judgment on the party’s protracted leadership crisis.
A check of the Commission’s portal shows that the reinstated leadership includes Senator David Mark as National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary.
Others listed are Dr. Mani Ibrahim Ahmad as National Treasurer, Akibu Dalhatu as National Financial Secretary, and Prof. Oserheimen among members of the restored national executive.
The development comes on the heels of a unanimous judgment delivered by a five-member panel of the Supreme Court led by Mohammed Lawal Garba, which voided the status quo ante bellum order earlier issued by the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
The apex court held that the appellate court acted beyond its jurisdiction by issuing the preservatory order after it had already dismissed the appeal, describing the directive as unnecessary, unwarranted and improper.
It, however, agreed in part with the lower court that the appeal filed by Mark was premature, as leave was not first obtained while substantive issues were still pending before the trial court.
Consequently, the Supreme Court directed all parties to return to the Federal High Court for the continuation and determination of the substantive suit.
The dispute stems from a suit filed at the Federal High Court by a former national vice-chairman of the ADC, who challenged the legitimacy of the Mark-led leadership.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, the claimant argued that he did not resign his position and should have succeeded as national chairman in line with the party’s constitution following the exit of the party’s founder, Ralph Nwosu.
He subsequently declared himself chairman and sought a court order restraining INEC from recognising the Mark-led executive.
The suit also listed the ADC, Mark, Aregbesola, INEC, and Nwosu as defendants, while seeking to halt party activities, including meetings, congresses and conventions, pending the determination of the case.
On September 4, 2025, the trial court, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, declined to grant the ex parte application outright but ordered the defendants to show cause why the reliefs sought should not be granted.
Dissatisfied, Mark approached the Court of Appeal, challenging the jurisdiction of the trial court. However, in its March 12, 2026 ruling, the appellate court dismissed the appeal, describing it as incompetent and premature, noting that there was no substantive decision of the lower court to appeal against.
Despite dismissing the appeal, the Court of Appeal went ahead to issue a status quo ante bellum order directing parties to maintain the existing state of affairs and refrain from actions that could undermine the pending suit.
It also ordered accelerated hearing of the case and awarded costs against Mark.
Following that ruling, INEC, on April 1, announced that it would no longer recognise either faction of the ADC leadership and would suspend engagement with the party pending resolution of the dispute.
Not satisfied with the appellate court’s decision, Mark approached the Supreme Court, which has now nullified the status quo order while directing that the substantive issues be returned to the trial court.
