In its judgment, the apex court overturned an earlier directive of the Court of Appeal which had ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the final determination of the case.
That interim ruling had deepened confusion within the party, creating parallel leadership claims and prompting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw recognition from all factions.
Delivering its verdict, the Supreme Court set aside the Appeal Court’s position and affirmed the leadership structure aligned with Mark, effectively restoring his camp as the legitimate authority within the ADC.
The dispute, which lingered for months, stemmed from internal disagreements that led to rival claims over the party’s leadership.
A faction led by Nafiu Bala had challenged Mark’s emergence in court, triggering conflicting judgments from both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal.
Mark’s camp, dissatisfied with the rulings that weakened its control, approached the Supreme Court, arguing that leadership matters within political parties are internal affairs and should be free from judicial interference.
The appeal sought to nullify earlier decisions and re-establish order within the party.
Before the final ruling, concerns had mounted over the future of the ADC, particularly with the 2027 general elections on the horizon.
The absence of a recognized leadership structure had threatened the party’s ability to meet critical electoral deadlines.
Thursday’s judgment now puts an end to the legal uncertainty, firmly placing the party structure under Mark’s control and clearing the way for the ADC to resume full political activities.
With the verdict, attention is expected to shift to how quickly INEC will restore formal recognition of the party’s leadership and how the ADC repositions itself ahead of the next electoral cycle.
