The apex court will deliver its ruling at 2pm on Thursday, April 30, after rejecting the opposition party’s plea for an expedited decision.
The Supreme Court has fixed Thursday, April 30, for judgment in the leadership dispute rocking the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC).
A five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Mohammed Garba, announced the date on Wednesday after all parties adopted their final written addresses. The judgment is scheduled to be delivered by 2pm.
The court’s decision comes after the ADC faction led by former Senate President, Senator Abubakar Mark, petitioned the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), arguing that time was not on the party’s side. Despite the urgency, the apex court declined to accelerate the process beyond Thursday.
Mark is challenging the March 12 judgment of the Court of Appeal, which ordered all parties to maintain the status quo in the dispute.
In his appeal, the former Senate President argued that the appellate court exceeded its jurisdiction, insisting that the crisis borders on internal party affairs—matters which courts lack the constitutional powers to adjudicate.
The suit was originally initiated by aggrieved party members led by Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is contesting the legitimacy of the Mark-led leadership.
Other respondents in the appeal include the ADC, its National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and a 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.
However, the respondents urged the apex court to dismiss the appeal, maintaining that the lower court was properly seized of the matter and that Mark’s faction cannot claim legitimacy.
Details later…
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