The African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by Senator David Mark, has issued an urgent "Save-Our-Soul" appeal to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere Ekun, requesting the immediate delivery of judgment in a lingering leadership dispute.

In a formal letter dated April 28, 2026, the party warned that further delays by the Supreme Court could cause "irreparable harm," potentially disqualifying the party from fielding candidates for the 2027 general elections due to statutory timelines set by the Electoral Act.

A Race Against the Electoral Clock

The petition, authored by the party’s lead counsel, Shuaibu Enejoh Aruwa (SAN), stresses that the ADC’s participation in the upcoming polls is under immediate threat. The party is requesting a verdict within three days to ensure it can comply with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) timetable.

Currently, the ADC finds itself in a leadership vacuum. Following a Lower Court ruling, INEC de-recognized the David Mark-led executive, leaving the registered political party without an official leadership structure to oversee primary elections and candidate nominations.

"The ADC’s ability to comply with these statutory requirements... is wholly dependent on the timely delivery of the judgment," the letter read. "Justice delayed, in this peculiar circumstance, would amount to justice denied."

Judicial Background: Internal Affairs vs. Court Jurisdiction

The crisis reached the apex court after a series of legal battles:

• April 22, 2026: A five-member Supreme Court panel, led by Justice Garba Mohammed, reserved judgment after hearing arguments from all parties.

• The Appellant's Stance: Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), representing David Mark, argued that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction. He cited a March 2025 Supreme Court precedent stating that courts should not interfere in the internal affairs of political parties.

• The Respondent's Stance: Robert Emukpero (SAN), representing Nafiu Bala Gombe, urged the court to uphold a Court of Appeal decision which labeled Mark’s challenge as "premature" and ordered the case back to the Federal High Court for trial.

Implications for 2027

The leadership tussle has effectively paralyzed the party's administrative functions. While the Court of Appeal had previously ordered a "status quo" be maintained, INEC interpreted this by removing the current leadership from its recognized roster.

The ADC argues that continued silence from the Supreme Court disenfranchises millions of members and threatens the constitutional right of the party to contest in the 2027 cycle. The legal community and political observers now look to the CJN’s office to see if the apex court will fast-track the ruling to meet the party's three-day window.