ADC Leadership Dispute: Presidency Mounting Pressure On Supreme Court Justices — Sources

• As Nigerians Identify, Expose Jurists
• Tinubu, Judiciary Ganging Up Against Opposition — Wushshi

Fresh concerns have emerged over alleged executive interference in Nigeria’s judiciary, with multiple sources claiming that the Presidency is mounting pressure on justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria ahead of critical rulings linked to the leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

NAIJAONPOINT gathered that the development has heightened anxiety within political circles, as stakeholders warn that the outcome of pending cases could significantly influence the balance of power ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Sources who spoke to the medium in Abuja over the weekend specifically pointed to a pattern of controversial rulings allegedly linked to judges such as Emeka Nwite, James Omotosho, Donatus Okorowo Lifu, Mohammed Liman and Joyce Abdulmalik, whom they accused of delivering decisions perceived to favour the ruling All Progressives Congress, a claim yet to be independently verified.

The controversy has also drawn attention to recent political developments, including a viral video involving the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, which critics say suggests attempts to destabilise opposition parties from within.

In the footage, Gbajabiamila was allegedly heard urging Leke Abejide to remain within the ADC and “scatter the party,” a remark that has since sparked outrage among opposition figures and civil society groups.

Last Wednesday, the apex court on reserved judgment in the leadership crisis rocking the ADC.

A five-member panel of the apex court, headed by Justice Mohammed Garba, reserved the matter for judgment after hearing from all parties.

NAIJAONPOINT reports that the appeal, marked SC/CV/180/2026, was filed by Senator David Mark.

The appellant seeks to set aside a March 12 Court of Appeal judgment, which he said was against the interest of justice.

He argued that the appellate court exceeded its jurisdiction by ordering maintenance of the status quo ante bellum in a suit filed by aggrieved party members led by Nafiu-Bala Gombe.

Mark contended that the dispute involves a political party’s domestic affairs, in which courts lack jurisdiction to intervene.

Other respondents in the appeal include ADC National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the immediate past national chairman of the party, Chief Ralph Nwosu.

Mark sought, among other reliefs, an order restraining INEC from recognizing anyone other than him and the current national officers, pending determination of the appeal.

He also requested orders barring INEC from altering the party’s leadership structure as currently constituted and staying proceedings in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025 before Justice Emeka Nwite at the Federal High Court, Abuja, until the appeal is heard.

While adopting their brief of argument, Mark’s legal team, led by Mr. Jubril Okutepa, SAN, insisted the dispute is a non-justiciable internal party matter, as previously held by the Supreme Court.

Although INEC did not file any process to either support or counter the appeal, however, all the other respondents urged the apex court to dismiss it for want of merit.

They maintained that the trial court was properly seized of facts of the case that is still pending before it.

Reacting to the development, a prominent Second Republic politician, Usman Yakubu Wushshi, accused President Bola Tinubu of orchestrating a coordinated effort involving both the judiciary and key political actors to undermine opposition parties.

“The instructions were handed down to one of the judges to rule against opposition parties in pending cases,” Wushshi alleged.

He further claimed that several justices were under intense pressure to deliver judgments favourable to the Federal Government, warning that such actions could permanently damage the integrity of the judiciary.

“Several of the judges are under pressure to bend the law and please the Federal Government, although a few are resisting because they understand the damage it could do to their reputation,” he said.

It was learnt that the controversy is further compounded by the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission, which has been accused of unlawfully tampering with the leadership structure of the ADC by removing the names of key figures from its official portal.

“What INEC did by removing ADC leadership names was against the law. The Chairman acted under duress to carry out an action he does not have the power to execute,” Wushshi added.

Legal luminaries, including Femi Falana and Itse Sagay, have also criticised the electoral body’s action, describing it as unconstitutional and a dangerous precedent.

Observers said the unfolding developments have attracted both local and international attention, amid fears that Nigeria’s democratic institutions are facing mounting pressure ahead of the next general election cycle.

Wushshi also alleged that the crisis within the ADC was being fuelled externally, stressing that Nafiu Bala, was being manipulated to destabilise the party.

He warned that the combination of judicial pressure, political interference and internal destabilisation of opposition parties could erode public trust and threaten the credibility of the 2027 elections.

“The President’s interference has led to conflicting judgments in recent years and has significantly eroded public trust in the judiciary. Many Nigerians have already lost hope, and the international community is watching closely,” he added.

Efforts to obtain official reactions from the Presidency, the apex court and INEC were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report..