Tension in ADC as Supreme Court Finally Takes Action on Party Crisis 

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has scheduled Tuesday, April 14, for the hearing of the appeal filed by David Mark, the former Senate president and embattled factional national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), against the Nafiu Bala-led faction over the leadership crisis rocking the party, as reported by Legit.

In the appeal, the former Senate president is asking the apex court to grant an order that will stay the execution of the judgment of the Court of Appeal that was delivered on March 12, 2025.

ADC matters before the Supreme Court Realwan Okpanachi, counsel to the embattled ADC national chairman, urged the Supreme Court to grant the order to stay the execution of the appeal court judgment until the hearing and determination of the appeal.

Also, Channels TV reported that Mark is asking the Supreme Court to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from altering the current national leadership structure of the ADC, which was constituted and represented by him, until it determines the matter before it.

He also prayed to the apex court to grant an order that will stay the further proceedings of the suit before Justice Nwita of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

On September 4, 2025, the former Senate president appealed a ruling by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court over an ex parte application filed by Nafiu Bala’s faction.

The actual crisis in the ADC

The ADC has been confronted with a leadership crisis as two camps are laying claims to the leadership structure of the party. The crisis resulted in court orders and administration uncertainty on which faction has legitimate control of the national structure of the ADC.

The situation became more complicated when INEC derecognised David Mark as the national chairman of the ADC in its official records. The party leaders have criticised the electoral body and protested against the move.

‘No battalion can stop ADC convention’ 

A member of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, convention planning committee, Dino Melaye, has insisted that no force can prevent the party from holding its convention, citing a valid contract and full payment for the venue.

According to DAILY POST, the ADC convention scheduled on Tuesday was reportedly under threat as the party was being denied venue to hold the event.

Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Tuesday, Melaye said attempts were made to stop the event, including efforts to shut the venue gates and ask organizers to vacate the premises.

He, however, stated that the committee resisted the move, maintaining that they had a duly signed agreement with the facility’s owners and had fulfilled all financial obligations.

Melaye further declared that the party was committed to challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, expressing confidence in ADC’s growing influence.

He said: “I have that information as a member of the planning committee and the chairman of the protocol committee, and not only we were even asked to leave yesterday, they wanted to shut the gates, but we insisted, and said we are not going to leave because we have a contract duly signed with this place, and we paid fully.

“We have receipt of payments. We have duly signed contracts. The most important thing is that at the end of the day we are here, and we hold our convention here.

“Nobody will stop us. After a contract, a proper contract, with the owners of this place, and after payment and receipt issued, no battalion would have moved us away from here today. So convention is going to hold. The exercise will hold. ADC is entrenched, and we are kicking out APC.”