The Independent National Electoral Commission has updated its official records to reflect David Mark as the national chairman of the African Democratic Congress, signalling a major shift in the party’s protracted leadership dispute.
The change, which became visible on the commission’s online portal, effectively restores Mark’s camp to formal recognition after months of uncertainty over the party’s leadership structure.
The development follows the judgment given on Thursday by the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which set aside earlier orders that had complicated the crisis and returned the matter to the Federal High Court for further proceedings.
A five-member panel of the Supreme Court on Thursday voided the status quo ante bellum order imposed on the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The decision, delivered unanimously, set aside the earlier ruling of the Court of Appeal which had directed all parties in the leadership dispute to revert to their previous positions pending the determination of the case.
Earlier, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal had dismissed an appeal filed by Mark, in which he challenged the jurisdiction of Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, to hear a suit brought by Nafiu Gombe over the party’s leadership.
The appellate court held that the appeal was premature and filed without the required leave of the lower court. It subsequently ordered that the matter be returned to the Federal High Court for an expedited hearing and directed all parties to maintain the existing arrangement pending a final decision.
Following that directive, the Independent National Electoral Commission withdrew recognition of the leadership faction aligned with Mark until the courts determine the party’s legitimate leadership.
Dissatisfied with the ruling, Mark approached the Supreme Court, seeking to nullify the appellate court’s decision and set aside the order maintaining the status quo.
