Judgment Day Twist: David Mark Emerges Winner As Court Restores ADC Leadership

The Supreme Court has upheld the faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President David Mark.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The leadership dispute within the party arose after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declined to recognise certain individuals claiming key leadership positions, citing earlier court decisions and ongoing litigation.

INEC had also removed David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as National Chairman and Secretary of the party, respectively, in line with a judgment of the Court of Appeal.

The commission maintained that, based on the directive to preserve the status quo ante bellum, it would not recognise any faction of the party until the dispute was fully resolved.

However, in its judgment delivered on Thursday, the Supreme Court set aside the order that directed the party to maintain the status quo pending the resolution of the crisis.

In a unanimous decision by a five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, the apex court ruled that the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal exceeded its jurisdiction by issuing the order after it had already dismissed the appeal before it.

The court described the directive as unnecessary and improper, noting that issuing such an order after dismissing the case was unwarranted.

While the Supreme Court partly upheld the appeal filed by David Mark, it dismissed the aspect challenging an earlier ex parte order of the Federal High Court concerning service of court processes in the case initiated by aggrieved party members.

The apex court subsequently directed all parties involved to return to the trial court for the continuation of proceedings on the matter.