The Supreme Court has nullified the order that directed the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the resolution of its ongoing leadership crisis.
In a unanimous ruling delivered by a five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, the apex court held that the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal exceeded its legal authority by issuing the order after it had already dismissed the appeal brought before it by one of the party’s rival factions.
According to the Supreme Court, “Giving such an order in an appeal it had already dismissed was unnecessary, unwarranted and improper.”
The apex court ruled that the appeal filed by former Senate President David Mark succeeded in part. However, it dismissed the aspect of the appeal challenging the ex parte order earlier granted by the Federal High Court, which allowed substituted service of court documents in the suit initiated by aggrieved members of the party.
The court subsequently directed all parties involved in the dispute to return to the trial court for the continuation of proceedings on the substantive matter.
The ruling marks a significant development in the prolonged internal crisis rocking the ADC, which has triggered competing claims to the party’s national leadership.
The dispute had earlier prompted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal and website as ADC National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively, on April 1.
INEC had explained that its action was based on the Court of Appeal’s earlier judgment and the directive for the maintenance of the status quo ante bellum, which prevented the commission from recognising any of the factions laying claim to the party’s leadership pending judicial determination.
With the Supreme Court now vacating that order, attention is expected to shift back to the Federal High Court, where the substantive issues surrounding the legitimacy of the party’s leadership structure will be fully determined.
The judgment is expected to shape the future direction of the ADC as it navigates internal tensions and prepares for upcoming political activities.
What You Should Know
The Supreme Court’s decision has effectively overturned a key order that had frozen the leadership structure of the African Democratic Congress.
By ruling that the Court of Appeal acted outside its powers, the apex court has reopened the legal pathway for resolving the ADC’s leadership crisis through full trial proceedings. The judgment does not immediately settle who controls the party but sends the matter back to the Federal High Court for proper hearing.
This development could have major political implications for the party, especially as it seeks stability ahead of future elections and attempts to resolve internal factional disputes.
