Nigeria’s opposition politics faces a defining moment today as the Supreme Court prepares to rule on two major disputes involving the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), decisions that could alter the political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.
At the heart of both cases are critical questions surrounding the extent to which courts can interfere in internal party matters, as well as the legitimacy of competing leadership factions.
In the ADC matter, a former Senate President, David Mark, is asking the apex court to overturn earlier decisions that permitted a suit challenging the party’s leadership to continue.
Mark’s counsel, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), argued that the courts lack jurisdiction over internal party affairs, citing a March 21, 2025, Supreme Court ruling which held that such disputes fall outside judicial authority. He urged the court to uphold that precedent and nullify proceedings at the Federal High Court.
However, counsel to Nafiu Gombe, Robert Emukpero (SAN), countered that Mark’s appeal lacks merit and should be dismissed, maintaining that the lower courts acted within the law.
The Court of Appeal had earlier ruled against Mark, describing his appeal as premature and filed without leave. It subsequently ordered that the case return to trial and directed all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum.
Following that directive, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) withdrew recognition of the Mark-led leadership pending a final judicial determination on the party’s authentic leadership.
Dissatisfied with the ruling, Mark approached the Supreme Court, also challenging the order enforcing the status quo.
In a separate but equally significant case, the apex court is expected to deliver judgment on a leadership dispute within the PDP arising from its controversial national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The appeal was brought by a faction led by Taminu Turaki, whose executives emerged from the convention. They are seeking to overturn a Court of Appeal judgment that nullified the exercise for violating an existing court order.
Through their counsel, Paul Erokoro (SAN), the appellants urged the Supreme Court to validate the convention and dismiss a cross-appeal filed by a rival faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
However, respondents, including former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, argued that the issue extends beyond internal party affairs and involves disobedience to a valid court order.
Lamido had earlier secured a Federal High Court ruling restraining the PDP from conducting the convention until he was allowed to participate as a candidate for national chairman. Despite that directive, the party proceeded with the exercise—an action both the trial court and the Court of Appeal later declared unlawful.
The appellate court held that the matter was not protected under the doctrine of internal party affairs and subsequently nullified the convention.