Supreme Court go deliver judgment for ADC, PDP leadership wahala today

The Supreme Court don set to deliver judgment today for two high-stakes political cases wey dey involve African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Dem say dis rulings fit reshape Nigeria opposition landscape before 2027 general elections.

At the centre of both disputes na questions about limits of judicial intervention for party affairs and legitimacy of rival leadership factions. Leaders and party supporters don gather for court to witness the judgment.

For the ADC case, former Senate President David Mark dey ask the apex court to overturn earlier rulings wey allow a suit challenging the party leadership to proceed. Mark counsel, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), argue say courts lack jurisdiction over internal party matters, and e cite March 21, 2025 Supreme Court decision wey hold say such disputes fall outside judicial authority. E urge the court to uphold that precedent and nullify proceedings at Federal High Court.

But counsel to Nafiu Gombe, Robert Emukpero (SAN), counter say Mark appeal lack merit and should be dismissed, and e insist say lower courts act within the law. The Court of Appeal don earlier rule against Mark, describing his appeal as premature and filed without leave. E order the case to return to trial and direct parties to maintain status quo ante bellum.

Following that directive, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) withdraw recognition of Mark-led leadership pending judicial resolution of the party authentic leadership. Dissatisfied, Mark escalate the matter to Supreme Court, and e also challenge an order enforcing the status quo.

For a parallel case, the apex court go rule on leadership tussle within PDP stemming from its disputed national convention wey dem hold for Ibadan, Oyo State. The appeal na from faction led by Taminu Turaki, whose executives emerge from the convention. Dem dey seek to overturn Court of Appeal judgment wey nullify the exercise for violating a subsisting court order.

The appellants, through dem counsel Paul Erokoro (SAN), urge Supreme Court to validate the convention and dismiss a cross-appeal by rival faction aligned with Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. But respondents, including former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, argue say the matter go beyond internal party affairs and involve disobedience to a valid court order.

Lamido don secure Federal High Court ruling restraining PDP from holding the convention until e allowed to participate as candidate for national chairman. Despite that order, the party proceed with the convention—an action both trial court and Court of Appeal later rule unlawful. The appellate court hold say the case no be shielded by doctrine of internal party affairs and consequently nullify the convention.