The Supreme Court of Nigeria has set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal Nigeria which ordered a return to status quo ante bellum in the leadership crisis of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The apex court’s decision effectively nullifies the earlier ruling that had reversed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s delisting of the executive faction led by David Mark.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, a five-member panel of justices, led by Mohammed Lawal Garba, unanimously held that the Court of Appeal’s order was unnecessary.
The Supreme Court further ruled that the appeal on jurisdiction stemmed from an ex parte order issued without prior leave of the appellate court, thereby rendering the process procedurally flawed.
The ruling marks a significant development in the ongoing leadership tussle within the ADC, with implications for party structure and recognition by electoral authorities.