Power Tussle Peaks as Supreme Court Delivers Final Verdict Thursday on ADC, PDP Leadership Battles
Nigeria’s political landscape is set for a major legal turning point on Thursday as the Supreme Court delivers judgment in three crucial cases tied to the lingering leadership crises rocking both the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
At the centre of the ADC dispute is the appeal filed by the party’s National Chairman, David Mark, who is locked in a fierce leadership battle with factional chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe. Mark is seeking an order of the apex court to stay the execution of the Court of Appeal judgment delivered on March 12, which dismissed his earlier appeal over the unresolved leadership tussle.
The outcome of the case is expected to determine who controls the structure and direction of the ADC ahead of future political realignments and elections.
In the PDP, the Supreme Court will also rule on two separate appeals arising from the party’s internal leadership struggle involving the Makinde-backed Turaki faction.
The first appeal, marked SC/CV/164/2026, was filed by the PDP against a Court of Appeal ruling that upheld the judgment of Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja. The judgment had barred the PDP from proceeding with its national convention without accommodating former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido.
The second appeal, marked SC/CV/166/2026, was filed by the PDP, its National Working Committee (NWC), and National Executive Committee (NEC) against another Court of Appeal judgment affirming the earlier ruling of Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja. That ruling restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from monitoring the Ibadan convention until all legal conditions were met.
Political observers say Thursday’s judgments could reshape the internal balance of power within both parties and influence preparations for the 2027 general elections.
With tensions high across party camps, all eyes are now on the Supreme Court as it prepares to deliver decisions that may finally settle some of the most contentious political battles in the country.