Nigeria’s Supreme Court of Nigeria is set to deliver key rulings in two high-profile political disputes involving the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in decisions that could significantly shape the political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The cases, listed under “Political Appeals,” are scheduled for hearing on Thursday, April 30, 2026, according to checks on the court’s official cause list.
One of the appeals, marked SC/CV/180/2026 and relating to the ADC leadership crisis, is expected to be decided at 2:00 p.m., while the exact time for the PDP matter could not be independently confirmed.
The ADC case stems from a prolonged leadership tussle between factions linked to Nafiu Bala Gombe and former Senate President David Mark. Mark is challenging a March 12 ruling of the Court of Appeal, which directed parties to maintain the status quo in the dispute.
He argued that the matter is an internal party affair beyond the jurisdiction of the courts and accused the appellate court of overstepping its bounds.
A five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Mohammed Garba, heard the appeal on April 22 and reserved judgment.
In a move underscoring the urgency of the case, counsel to the ADC wrote to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, urging the court to deliver judgment promptly. In a letter dated April 28, 2026, the law firm of S.E. Aruwa (SAN) & Co. warned that delays could jeopardize the party’s participation in the 2027 elections.
The lawyers also raised concerns about the actions of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), alleging that the commission had moved to de-recognise the party’s leadership following a lower court ruling.
They argued that the ADC is currently without a recognised leadership structure, despite remaining a registered political party, and warned that failure to resolve the dispute swiftly could prevent the party from meeting statutory requirements for the next general elections.
“The prompt delivery of judgment in this appeal is crucial for the ADC to fulfill legal obligations necessary for participation in the 2027 elections,” the lawyers stated, adding that any delay could place the party at “grave and irreversible risk” of exclusion from the polls.
They further stressed that the party’s “entire political future” hangs in the balance, noting that “justice delayed, in this circumstance, would amount to justice denied.”
The rulings come amid heightened political tensions and legal battles over party leadership structures as political actors position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.