The Supreme Court of Nigeria has reserved judgment in an appeal filed by former Senate President David Mark concerning the ongoing leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
A five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Mohammed Garba, announced the decision after all parties in the case adopted their final written submissions. The court said the date for judgment will be communicated to the parties later.
Mark, who is backing one faction in the internal struggle for control of the ADC, is challenging a March 12 ruling of the Court of Appeal that ordered all sides to maintain the status quo pending resolution of the dispute.
In his appeal, Mark is contending that the Court of Appeal lacked the jurisdiction to intervene, arguing that the matter is strictly an internal party affair which courts should not adjudicate.
The suit originated from a group of aggrieved party members led by Nafiu Bala Gombe, who are contesting the legitimacy of Mark’s factional leadership.
Other respondents in the case include the African Democratic Congress (ADC), its National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and former party chairman Ralph Nwosu.
Mark is also asking the court to restrain INEC from recognising any leadership structure other than his faction until the final determination of the appeal.
