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By ABT NEWS DESK | www.abtnews.net
Abuja, Nigeria — In a landmark and unanimous decision delivered on Thursday, the Supreme Court of Nigeria has finally laid out the true legal position regarding the leadership dispute rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC), handing a major lifeline to the faction led by former Senate President David Mark.
The apex court voided the controversial ruling of the Court of Appeal that had ordered all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum, directing instead that the substantive case be returned to the Federal High Court for a full hearing and final determination.
The Supreme Court’s Verdict
During the ruling, the Supreme Court strongly frowned upon the Court of Appeal’s status quo directive, describing the ante bellum order as “unnecessary, improper, and unwarranted.” While the apex court refused to entertain the appellant’s argument challenging the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal, noting that the lower court acted within its powers. It completely struck down the restrictive order.
The immediate and most significant implication of this Supreme Court decision is that it effectively restores the Senator David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) as the recognized executive of the ADC, pending the final outcome of the substantive suit at the trial court.
The Genesis of the Crisis
The political and legal drama began when Nafiu Bala, a former deputy national chairman, and other aggrieved members approached the Federal High Court to stop the Mark-led executives from parading themselves as the party’s national officers following the exit of Ralph Nwosu.
When the Federal High Court made an interim ruling, the Mark-led faction appealed. However, on March 12, the Court of Appeal dismissed Mark’s case and directed all parties to return to the trial court while maintaining the status quo ante bellum.
Relying heavily on that appellate court ruling, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced on April 1 that it would no longer recognize any faction of the ADC. The electoral body went as far as removing the names of David Mark and his executive team from its official portal and stated it would refrain from monitoring the party’s congresses, meetings, or conventions. This move effectively paralyzed the party as preparations for the 2027 general elections began to gather momentum.
The Implication of the Apex Court’s Ruling
With the Supreme Court entirely striking down the status quo order, the foundation upon which INEC withdrew its recognition has been dissolved. The legal pathway is now cleared for the David Mark-led faction to resume full administrative control of the ADC.
The case will now proceed at the Federal High Court for a conclusive hearing, but until that trial is finalized, the David Mark faction remains at the helm of the party’s affairs without the restrictive chains of the voided status quo order.
Stay tuned to www.abtnews.net for continuous updates on this developing political story.
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