ADC crisis deepens as Supreme Court takes up appeal April 22

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has fixed April 22, 2026, as the date for hearing an important political case involving a leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The case concerns a factional National Chairman of the party who has gone to the Supreme Court to challenge earlier court decisions that affected the control and leadership structure of the party.

The dispute has created tension within the ADC, with different groups claiming authority over the party’s leadership.

This appeal is against the judgment delivered on March 12 by the Court of Appeal.

That judgment had earlier upheld a decision of the Federal High Court in Abuja given on September 4, 2025.

In that earlier ruling, the Federal High Court refused to grant some temporary court orders that were requested in an ex-parte application filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a member of the party involved in the internal crisis.

A five-member panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Mohammed Garba, considered the matter on Tuesday and granted it an accelerated hearing, meaning the case will be treated urgently due to its importance.

The case is officially registered as SC/CV/180/2026.

The court directed the lawyer representing the appellant, Jibril Okutepa (SAN), to file and serve the appellant’s written arguments by Wednesday. This is to ensure that all parties have access to the necessary legal documents before the hearing begins.

The court also ordered all respondents in the case to file and serve their written responses within three days after receiving the appellant’s brief. After that, the appellant is allowed to submit a reply brief within one day if there is a need to respond further to the arguments raised by the respondents.

The Supreme Court emphasized that the hearing will proceed on the scheduled date, and further procedural directions may be issued as the case develops.

The leadership dispute in the ADC remains a closely watched political matter, as the final decision of the Supreme Court is expected to determine who has legal authority over the party’s national leadership structure.