ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Supreme Court of Nigeria has fixed April 14 for the hearing of an appeal filed by David Mark, national chairman of the African Democratic Congress, in the ongoing leadership tussle with Nafiu Bala.
The appeal, marked SC/CV/180/2026, challenges a judgment of the Court of Appeal delivered on March 12, which has fueled the current crisis within the party.
Mark is seeking an order of the apex court to stay execution of the appellate court’s ruling pending the determination of his appeal.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), hearing notices were issued to all parties on Friday through the litigation department of the Supreme Court.
In the application filed by his counsel, Realwan Okpanachi, Mark is also asking the court to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission from making any changes to the party’s leadership structure as presently constituted under his leadership, pending the outcome of the appeal.
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He further prayed the court to halt proceedings in a related case suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025 currently before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The respondents in the appeal include Bala, the ADC, Rauf Aregbesola (national secretary), INEC, and former party chairman Ralph Nwosu.
Meanwhile, the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, has also fixed April 14 to hear Bala’s suit challenging Mark’s leadership of the party.
With both matters slated for the same day, legal observers say the lower court may adjourn or suspend proceedings in deference to the Supreme Court, in line with the hierarchy of courts.
The case represents a critical turning point in the deepening crisis rocking the ADC, as rival factions intensify legal battles to secure judicial recognition of their leadership ahead of the 2027 general elections.