By Our Correspondent

National News – The Supreme Court of Nigeria is set to hear two politically sensitive appeals arising from leadership disputes within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Abuja.

The cases involve rival factions contesting party leadership legitimacy and earlier Court of Appeal rulings, with key figures including David Mark, Bala Gombe, Tanimu Turaki (SAN), and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as respondents.

The apex court hearing, scheduled for Tuesday in Abuja, will determine competing appeals from ADC and PDP factions over who holds legitimate national leadership.

The ADC dispute stems from conflicting claims following appellate court orders directing parties to maintain status quo, while the PDP case challenges nullification of its national convention.

David Mark is seeking to restrain INEC from withdrawing recognition of his faction pending appeal, while opposing camps argue constitutional violations within party structures.

The outcome is expected to clarify leadership authority, guide INEC recognition decisions, and potentially reshape opposition party structures nationwide as both cases proceed simultaneously before the Supreme Court.

Political analysts say the simultaneous hearings could set a major precedent for internal party democracy and INEC’s role in leadership recognition disputes across Nigeria.

They note that the rulings may influence preparations for the 2027 general elections by stabilising or reshaping opposition party structures.

Legal observers also expect the Supreme Court’s decision to either reinforce earlier appellate orders or grant interim reliefs that could temporarily restore or alter existing party leadership arrangements pending final determination of the substantive appeals.