Supreme Court Accelerates Hearing on PDP and ADC Leadership Disputes
The Supreme Court has mandated an expedited hearing regarding the ongoing leadership crises within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC). All proceedings related to both appeals must be concluded by April 22, 2026.
On Tuesday, a five-member panel led by Justice Lawal Garba approved the application for an expedited timeline, instructing all parties to submit and exchange relevant legal documents within five days. The court has allowed an additional two days for responses, establishing April 21 as the final deadline for submissions.
This swift decision followed urgent pleas from the appellants in both matters, who emphasized the pressing nature of the disputes and their potential ramifications on party leadership. In the PDP case, attorney Chris Uche (SAN), representing the faction led by Kabiru Tanim Turaki, highlighted the immediate need for judicial intervention, referencing critical affidavits that underscored the urgency of the situation. While other parties did not object to expediting the process, they requested adequate time to formulate their responses.
Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), counsel for one of the accused parties, informed the court that his team had only recently received the necessary documents and noted that they typically require 15 days to respond. However, he offered to expedite their response to within 10 days. Kingsley Magbin, an advisor from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), supported the call for additional time, although no one opposed the proposal for an earlier court hearing.
The court ultimately decided to adhere to a shorter timeframe, citing the urgency of the leadership issues at hand. The committee collectively agreed, stating, “We believe it is advisable to grant these requests.”
It is noteworthy that Abdulrahman Mohammed, a respondent associated with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, was absent from the proceedings and did not have representation.
The controversy in the PDP stems from a protracted dispute over leadership, particularly the contentious national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, in November 2025. During this convention, which saw Mr. Turaki elected as chairman for his faction, a Federal High Court had previously invalidated the results due to breaches of party rules and the exclusion of key participants.
Despite a court order that suspended the convention, the PDP’s national working committee proceeded with the event, leading rival factions, supported by Wike, to reject the results and form a parallel leadership structure. The Court of Appeal upheld the lower court’s judgment, dismissing claims that it lacked jurisdiction over internal party matters. In response, Turaki’s faction has filed an appeal with the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the ruling and suspend its execution.
In a similar vein, the Supreme Court has also fast-tracked hearings for an ADC leadership dispute. JS Okutepa (SAN), representing the ADC, requested a reduction in time for legal proceedings, which the court granted, setting the hearing date for April 22.
This ADC case involves a faction led by former Senate President David Mark, who is appealing against former National Deputy Speaker Nafiu Bala. Mark aims for a stay on the enforcement of the Court of Appeal’s March 12 ruling that dismissed his initial appeal. The Court of Appeal had upheld a preliminary objection raised by Mr. Bala’s legal team, deeming Mark’s appeal as incompetent for not deriving from the trial court’s decision.
Both leadership disputes are slated for resolution on the same day, April 22, when the Supreme Court is anticipated to deliver rulings that could significantly influence the leadership structures and future trajectories of both prominent opposition parties in Nigeria.
