BREAKING: Supreme Court Affirms Leadership Of David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, Others — Sets Aside Status Quo Ante Bellum

Abuja, Nigeria– The Supreme Court of Nigeria on Thursday affirmed the leadership status of former Senate President David Mark, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, and other key figures in a major political dispute, bringing a  turn to an ongoing leadership crisis within the affected political structure.

In a judgment that immediately altered the balance of the long-running internal conflict, the apex court set aside the earlier status quo ante bellum order, effectively restoring the positions of the Mark–Aregbesola-led leadership bloc.

The ruling also dismissed the preliminary objection filed by counsel to the Nafiu Bala-led faction, which had challenged the competence of the appeal before the court.

Before the judgment was delivered, there was palpable anxiety and apprehension within the courtroom, as supporters and party stakeholders from both factions waited tensely for the final pronouncement.

Earlier,  the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or participating in any congress organised by a disputed caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in a ruling that deepens the party’s internal power struggle.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, in a judgment, also barred Mark and other senior figures in the party from interfering with the functions and tenure of duly elected state executive committees.

The decision is the latest escalation in the ADC leadership crisis, which has continued to generate tension over control of party structures ahead of future political activities.

The case was instituted by Norman Obinna and six others, who filed the suit on behalf of state chairpersons and executive committees of the party nationwide.

The plaintiffs challenged the legality of actions taken by a caretaker or interim national leadership, which had moved to organise state congresses through an appointed committee. They argued that the arrangement was unconstitutional and lacked any legal foundation under the ADC constitution.