The Supreme Court of Nigeria has reserved judgment in the leadership crisis affecting the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
A five-member panel led by Mohammed Garba made the decision after listening to all parties involved.
The case was filed by David Mark, who is leading one faction of the party. He is asking the court to cancel an earlier judgment given by the Court of Appeal on March 12, which he believes was unfair.
Mark argued that the Court of Appeal went beyond its powers by ordering that things should return to how they were before the dispute began. He also said the matter is an internal party issue and courts should not interfere.
The case was originally brought by party members led by Nafiu Bala Gombe.
Other people involved in the case include the ADC, its National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and former party chairman Ralph Nwosu.
Mark also asked the court to stop INEC from recognizing any other leadership apart from his group while the case is ongoing.
He further requested that INEC should not make any changes to the party’s leadership structure until the court decides.
Although INEC did not support or oppose the case, other parties asked the court to dismiss Mark’s appeal, saying it has no merit.
Earlier, INEC removed Mark and Aregbesola from its official records on April 1, following the Court of Appeal’s ruling. The commission said it would not recognize any faction of the party until the dispute is settled.
Despite this, the ADC has said it will go ahead with its planned national convention.
Meanwhile, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has stopped proceedings in a related case. He said continuing the case while the Supreme Court is still considering the matter would not be proper.
