The Supreme Court has fixed Tuesday, April 14, to hear an appeal filed by David Mark, the national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in a leadership tussle against Nafiu Bala.
Gatekeepers News reports that the appeal challenges an earlier ruling of the Court of Appeal, which dismissed Mark’s case and directed parties to return to the trial court. In his fresh application before the apex court, Mark is seeking an order to stay the execution of that judgment pending the determination of the appeal.
The case, marked SC/CV/180/2026, stems from a dispute over the leadership of the party. Bala, a former deputy national chairman, had approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, insisting he never resigned and should automatically assume leadership following the exit of the party’s former chairman.
Mark, however, is asking the Supreme Court to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising any changes to the party’s leadership structure until the matter is resolved. He also wants further proceedings at the lower court halted pending the outcome of the appeal.
Meanwhile, both the Supreme Court appeal and the suit at the Federal High Court are scheduled for the same day, raising the possibility that proceedings at the lower court may be adjourned in deference to the apex court.
The dispute has deepened divisions within the ADC, with INEC earlier announcing it would not recognise either faction until the legal battle is concluded.
