The Supreme Court of Nigeria on Wednesday reserved judgment in the protracted leadership crises rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), leaving both opposition parties in a state of uncertainty just months before critical electoral deadlines ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Garba declined to fix a date for the ruling after hearing final arguments in multiple appeals challenging lower court decisions on the internal disputes, effectively prolonging a legal deadlock that threatens the operational readiness of both parties.
The development comes against a tightening electoral timetable set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which has fixed 10 May 2026, as the deadline for submission of party membership registers. Party primaries are scheduled between 23 April and 30 May 2026, while campaigns begin in August.
With litigation unresolved and party leadership structures in dispute, both PDP and ADC face mounting pressure to meet these deadlines or risk exclusion from key electoral processes.
Opposition in Disarray
The PDP remains deeply fractured between two dominant blocs, one aligned with Tanimu Turaki and backed by governors including Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed, and another loyal to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
At the heart of the PDP dispute is the controversial November 2025 national convention in Ibadan, which was nullified by lower courts over procedural violations, including the exclusion of Sule Lamido from contesting for national chairman.
Counsel to the Turaki-led faction, Paul Erokoro, urged the apex court to overturn those rulings, while opposing lawyers, including J.C. Njikonye and Joseph Daudu, defended the lower court decisions.
ADC’s Three-Way power struggle
In a parallel crisis, the ADC is battling a three-way leadership tussle involving factions loyal to former Senate President David Mark, Nafiu Gombe, and a bloc backed by 2023 presidential candidate Dumebi Kachikwu.
The dispute, rooted in disagreements over succession following the exit of former chairman Ralph Nwosu, has triggered multiple court cases and prompted INEC to temporarily alter its official records in compliance with court orders.
Mark’s legal team, led by Jubril Okutepa, argued that the matter concerns internal party affairs and should not be subject to judicial interference—a position strongly contested by rival factions.
Claims of Judicial Influence
The delay has intensified accusations and counter-accusations within the PDP, with the Turaki-aligned faction warning of alleged attempts to manipulate the judiciary.
“We charge all true and uncompromised PDP members to keep their faith alive… in the hope that the apex court will deliver judgments that will preserve multi-party democracy and prevent the imminent enthronement of a one-party state,” said PDP spokesperson Ini Ememobong.
In a more explosive claim, Ememobong alleged that rival elements were acting “as though they already know the judgment of the court,” warning Nigerians to disregard their activities.
However, the Wike-backed faction, through spokesperson Jungudo Mohammed, dismissed the allegations, insisting confidence in the judicial process.
“If the facts remain the facts and the law remains the law… we believe the Supreme Court will dismiss all appeals and grant our requests,” he said, adding that the faction is already receiving “very impressive” responses from aspirants.
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