Supreme Court To Rule Today On ADC, PDP Leadership Tussles

According to IReporter Online, the Supreme Court is expected to deliver judgment today in the leadership disputes rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in a ruling widely believed to have far-reaching implications for the political direction of both opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The apex court is scheduled to deliver its decision at 2 pm on Thursday, April 30, 2026, in appeals marked SC/CV/166/2026 (PDP) and SC/CV/180/2026 (ADC). The cases stem from prolonged internal crises over leadership control and party authority.

Ahead of the ruling, ADC leaders were reported to have held an emergency strategic meeting on Wednesday night to assess possible outcomes and prepare their response. A political commentator, Imran Wakili, disclosed via that the meeting focused on reviewing scenarios arising from the Supreme Court judgment and mapping out the opposition coalition’s next steps, noting the absence of prominent figures including Mr Peter Obi and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

In a related development, a Federal High Court on Wednesday restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising congresses conducted by the David Mark-led faction of the ADC, pending the resolution of internal disputes within the party. The ruling has further deepened tensions within the party structure.

Reacting to the court order, Mark, in a statement released through ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi on , assured party members that the legal challenges would not prevent the party from participating in the 2027 elections. He expressed confidence in the party’s legal team, insisting that the ADC would emerge victorious and remain on the ballot across all elections.

However, the 2023 ADC presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, alongside some state chairmen, welcomed the Federal High Court ruling, maintaining that they would resist any attempt to “hijack” the party.

The Supreme Court had earlier on April 22, 2026, concluded hearings on the leadership disputes involving both the ADC and PDP, reserving judgment after hearing arguments from all parties involved. The ADC crisis centres on a leadership tussle between David Mark and a rival faction led by Nafiu Gombe, with contention over a Court of Appeal decision ordering the maintenance of the status quo in the party’s leadership structure.

While the appellants insist the matter is strictly an internal party affair beyond judicial interference, respondents including INEC and other party stakeholders urged the court to dismiss the appeal, arguing that the lower courts acted within jurisdiction.

In a letter dated April 28, ADC counsel urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria to ensure swift delivery of judgment, warning that delays could threaten the party’s ability to meet electoral requirements and participate in the 2027 polls. They stressed that “justice delayed would amount to justice denied,” citing risks of exclusion from the electoral process.

Prominent political figures from both the ADC and PDP camps are expected at the Supreme Court for the ruling, including party leaders, governors, and senior political actors aligned with different factions.

INEC has already fixed May 10, 2026, as the deadline for political parties to submit membership registers, while outlining a timetable leading up to the 2027 general elections, with presidential and National Assembly polls scheduled for January 16, 2027.