Supreme Court to Rule on David Mark’s Appeal Amid Deepening ADC Leadership Crisis

The Supreme Court hears David Mark's appeal over the ADC chairmanship. Learn how the Peter Obi and Atiku-backed faction is fighting for control of the party.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 13, 2026, 8:44 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Naija News

The Apex Court Intervention

Nigeria's Supreme Court will begin hearing an appeal on Tuesday filed by David Mark, the former Senate President, aimed at resolving the protracted leadership tussle within the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Through his counsel, Rilwan Okpanachi, Mark is seeking a stay of execution on a March 12 Court of Appeal judgment. The appeal also requests the court to prevent the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing any changes to the current leadership hierarchy until a final determination is reached.

Origins of the Factional Split

The crisis stems from a legal challenge initiated by Nafiu Bala, the former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC. In September 2025, a Federal High Court ruling on an ex parte application filed by Bala sparked a chain of administrative shifts, eventually leading INEC to remove David Mark’s name as the national chairman from its official records. This move effectively split the party into two fierce camps: one led by Mark and the other by Bala, each claiming legitimacy over the party’s national structure.

High-Stakes Political Protests

The administrative removal of Mark triggered significant unrest and a major protest by his National Working Committee. Notably, the demonstration saw an unusual gathering of political heavyweights from across the spectrum, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rauf Aregbesola, and Rotimi Amaechi. Conversely, the Bala-led faction held counter-protests, demanding that INEC formalize their recognition and finalize the transition of power within the party.