The Supreme Court of Nigeria has fixed April 14 for the hearing of an appeal filed by David Mark, National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in the ongoing leadership dispute with Nafiu Bala.
The appeal, marked SC/CV/180/2026, challenges a March 12 judgment of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria, which has contributed to the current leadership crisis within the party. Mark is seeking an order to stay execution of the ruling pending the determination of his appeal.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), hearing notices were issued to all parties on Friday by the litigation department of the apex court.
In the suit filed through his counsel, Realwan Okpanachi, Mark is also asking the court to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from making any changes to the party’s leadership structure as currently constituted under him, pending the resolution of the appeal.
He further requested an order halting proceedings in a related case—FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025—before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Respondents in the appeal include Bala, the ADC, Rauf Aregbesola, who serves as the party’s National Secretary, INEC, and Ralph Nwosu.
Meanwhile, the Federal High Court, presided over by Emeka Nwite, has also scheduled April 14 to hear Bala’s suit challenging Mark’s leadership of the party.
With both matters slated for the same day, legal observers say the lower court may adjourn or suspend proceedings in deference to the Supreme Court, in line with the hierarchy of courts.
The case represents a critical stage in the internal crisis rocking the ADC, as rival factions seek judicial validation of their claims to the party’s leadership ahead of the 2027 general elections.
