A series of Supreme Court rulings on Friday have reshaped the leadership crises in Nigeria’s major opposition parties, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), triggering mixed political reactions across the country.
In separate judgments, the apex court delivered partial relief to the ADC’s Senator David Mark-led caretaker leadership while voiding the controversial Ibadan national convention of the PDP, which produced Tanimu Turaki as national chairman.
ADC leadership crisis: Temporary relief for Mark camp
A five-man panel of the Supreme Court set aside a Court of Appeal order that had directed maintenance of the “status quo ante bellum,” which previously weakened the Mark-led faction.
The court ruled that the appellate court acted improperly after striking out the appeal, describing its order as “unwarranted and unnecessary.” It also held that the matter must return to the Federal High Court for determination.
However, the apex court dismissed parts of Mark’s appeal as incompetent, citing procedural defects, but allowed his faction to continue its legal challenge.
Following the ruling, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it would study the Certified True Copy of the judgment before taking further action.
Despite this, INEC has already updated its records to reflect Mark as ADC National Chairman and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, following the court’s directive.
PDP convention annulled, leadership thrown into confusion
In a separate decision delivered by a 3–2 majority, the Supreme Court nullified the PDP national convention held in Ibadan in November 2025.
The convention had produced the Turaki-led executive committee, but the court ruled that it violated a subsisting Federal High Court order restraining the exercise.
The justices held that the party acted in contempt by proceeding with the convention despite the court’s directive.
Two justices dissented, arguing the dispute was strictly an internal party matter beyond judicial interference.
The ruling effectively leaves the PDP without a clear national leadership structure, according to party officials.
Political reactions: Wike, Turaki camp, and BoT step in
Reacting to the PDP judgment, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, declared that factionalism in the party has been ended by the Supreme Court ruling, insisting that “there is now only one PDP.”
However, spokesperson for the Turaki faction, Ini Ememobong, warned that the judgment has instead left the party in leadership uncertainty ahead of the 2027 elections.
To prevent a vacuum, the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), led by former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, announced it is temporarily assuming leadership responsibilities to stabilise the party.
Legal battles continue
Senator David Mark has confirmed that the ADC will appeal parts of the ruling affecting its congresses, insisting the party remains confident of securing full recognition and appearing on the ballot in 2027.
Meanwhile, the Attorney General of the Federation has filed a separate suit seeking deregistration of the ADC and several other parties, arguing they have failed to meet constitutional performance thresholds.
Opposition remains unsettled
Despite the court decisions, both parties remain embroiled in legal and political disputes, with rival factions claiming legitimacy and control.
The developments have further intensified debates over judicial intervention in internal party affairs and the stability of Nigeria’s opposition politics ahead of the next general elections.
