₦airaland Forum

Two Nigerian lawyers, Inibehe Effiong and Bodunde Opeyemi, have offered detailed legal explanations of the ongoing leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), pointing to procedural decisions and binding court rulings as the root of the dispute.

Their interventions come amid growing public debate over the role of the electoral commission and speculation about possible political interference.

Mr Effiong, a public interest and human rights lawyer, criticised the legal approach taken by the faction led by former Senate President David Mark, describing it as procedurally questionable.

He said the Federal High Court did not issue any restraining order against the leadership, but instead directed that all parties be put on notice — a standard legal step requiring both sides to present their arguments.

According to him, the appropriate response would have been to contest the case at the trial court rather than file an interlocutory appeal.
“It became a motion on notice. They should have filed processes in opposition,” he said, adding that the decision to appeal at that stage was “unusual” and “untidy”.

He warned that pursuing further appeals could complicate the matter further instead of resolving it.

Court ruling shapes situation
Legal practitioner Mr Opeyemi traced the dispute to a leadership contest that followed a party meeting in July 2025, which produced a new executive.

The situation escalated when a party official challenged the process in court, asking the Federal High Court to stop both the new leadership and the electoral body from recognising the outcome. While the court declined to grant an interim order, the case later reached the Court of Appeal.

In March 2026, the appellate court directed all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum — meaning the situation must remain as it was before the case was filed. Mr Opeyemi said this order is clear and binding.

“It requires a strict preservation of the state of affairs before the dispute,” he explained, adding that no party is allowed to take actions that could influence the outcome of the case.

Why the electoral body acted
The lawyers say this court order explains the position taken by the electoral commission, which has declined to recognise any faction of the party.

According to Mr Opeyemi, the commission is legally bound to comply with the directive and cannot take sides while the case is still before the court.

He said any attempt to recognise a leadership or engage with party activities under dispute could amount to a violation of a valid court order.

Focus on internal legal process
Both lawyers suggest that the situation is the result of internal disagreements and legal strategy within the party.
Their analysis indicates that the current impasse is being shaped by court processes rather than actions from outside the party.

The dispute is expected to remain unresolved until the Federal High Court delivers a final judgment on the substantive case.

LibertyRep:
It was just a smear campaign against INEC and the person of the Chairman.

The commission couldn't have acted otherwise, they all knew this but just wanted to shift the burden of their incompetencies to others.

ogugwa1992:
https://wikkitimes.com/adc-crisis-rooted-in-legal-process-not-external-influence-experts/

honeyB2018:
The legal team of ADC, need to be questioned here. Nigerians will like to know them. They are not smart at all. Now they are urging their members, to continue with their congresses, instead of looking for away to get the judge at the FHC-, Abuja, to make a decision on the issue.

Retweet aggressively!!

Nafiu Bala speaks to the North about the 2023 election.

Today, he's mobilized, and he doesn't care about everything he said in 2023.

The rich politicians are dangerous, but you see those poor ones seeking relevance? They are even more dangerous! pic.twitter.com/nCZJfysl1J

— Mal. Imran U. Wakili (PULLO) 👑 #iSTANDWITHELRUFAI (@IU_Wakilii) April 3, 2026

festacman:
The legal processes aside, the root of this problem is a deputy chairman who was part of negotiation for former ADC leadership to step down for an interim leadership has all of a sudden changed like chameleon.

Who conspired to motivate the former deputy chairman to make an unnecessary U-turn. It is people who are scared of strong opposition party.

The fact is that if former President Jonathan's government was scared like the current government, it would have instigated inside confusion in then fledgling APC through legal processes. But he didn't and former President Buhari had given Jonathan credit for this on several occasions.

Nigerian stability is bigger than the ambition of an individual.

Meanwhile, I expect ADC to start releasing minutes of build up meetings to the stepping down of former EXCO. They should source all vital videos and pictures that show the former deputy chairman as being part of that process.

algomachine:
Court is already in ThiefDrugnubu’s pocket, the common man is finished.

Sunshine34:
This is the truth. But the children of vipers nearly bite the INEC chairman ..

LibertyRep:
It was just a smear campaign against INEC and the person of the Chairman.

The commission couldn't have acted otherwise, they all knew this but just wanted to shift the burden of their incompetencies to others.

festacman:
The legal processes aside, the root of this problem is a deputy chairman who was part of negotiation for former ADC leadership to step down for an interim leadership has all of a sudden changed like chameleon.

Who conspired to motivate the former deputy chairman to make an unnecessary U-turn. It is people who are scared of strong opposition party.

The fact is that if former President Jonathan's government was scared like the current government, it would have instigated inside confusion in then fledgling APC through legal processes. But he didn't and former President Buhari had given Jonathan credit for this on several occasions.

Nigerian stability is bigger than the ambition of an individual.

Meanwhile, I expect ADC to start releasing minutes of build up meetings to the stepping down of former EXCO. They should source all vital videos and pictures that show the former deputy chairman as being part of that process.

emkz:
Exactly.

The claim by Nafiu Bala Gombe that his resignation was fraudulently procured is a principal issue.

The claim that David Mar's leadership was illegal is a legal issue.

Dear Atiku, I have repeatedly advised you to avoid certain people. They are still misleading you. Instead of allowing a long-drawn battle, call a peace meeting with Ali Gombe and settle the dispute. Promise to return him as deputy national chairman or even chairman. Convert him to your side. There was no need to foist David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as ADC leaders. They have zero experience in managing political parties. It is too glaring. Recall how Buhari removed Adams Oshiomole and got all party members to remove all cases in court. A year before major elections, a year where party candidates are being chosen, less than three months to choosing candidates, you cannot be dealing with several court cases.

ATIKU, BRING EVERYONE TO A ROUND TABLE AND DEAL WITH THIS MATTER AND PREPARE TO COMPETE IN 2027! There is no garantee that court cases would end in your favour. If ADC falls apart, everyone would know that you failed to solve the problem.

While it is convenient to blame external factors, what exactly are you doing to do your own house cleaning?

djraymy:
Legal process is fraud from apc in this case

xmasgift:
...as is typical of them to never accept responsibility for anything.