The Supreme Court of Nigeria has fixed Thursday, April 30, for judgment in the leadership dispute rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a decision expected to shape the party’s participation in the 2027 general elections.

A five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Mohammed Garba, announced that judgment will be delivered at 2:00pm after all parties adopted their final written addresses.

The case centres on competing factions within the ADC, with one bloc led by former Senate President David Mark challenging the legitimacy of another faction aligned with aggrieved members led by Nafiu Bala Gombe.

Mark is asking the court to set aside a March 12 ruling of the Court of Appeal, which directed all parties to maintain the status quo in the leadership dispute. He argues that the matter is strictly an internal party affair and not subject to judicial interference.

Respondents in the appeal include the ADC, its National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and former national chairman Ralph Nwosu.

Mark is also seeking an order restraining INEC from recognising any leadership other than his faction pending the determination of the case. However, opposing parties urged the Supreme Court to dismiss the appeal, insisting that the lower court acted within its jurisdiction.

In a letter dated April 28, counsel to the Mark-led faction warned that any delay in judgment could jeopardise the ADC’s participation in the 2027 elections, citing INEC’s timetable and ongoing electoral preparations. The letter argued that the party risks being excluded if the leadership crisis is not resolved promptly, potentially disenfranchising millions of supporters.

As tensions rise within the party, the judgment expected today is viewed as a critical turning point for the ADC, with significant implications for Nigeria’s broader political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.