Just In: Supreme Court Gives Verdict on David Mark's Application
- The Supreme Court dismissed the application to stay the execution of the ruling of the Court of Appeal on the internal crisis rocking the ADC, filed by David Mark
- The former Senate president and embattled leader of the ADC had filed the suit before the apex court, which has led to the derecognition of his leadership
- The Supreme Court action followed the withdrawal of the application by Jibril Okutekpa, the counsel to the former Senate president
The Supreme Court has thrown out the application to stay execution of the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which led to the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to derecognise the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The Supreme Court's dismissal of the application followed its withdrawal by Jibril Okutekpa, the counsel to Mark, a former Senate president.
Source: Twitter
Why Mark withdrew his application
Arise TV reported that Okutekpa had told the five-member Supreme Court panel, headed by Justice Lawal Garba, that INEC's interpretation of the Court of Appeal judgment on March 12 left the ADC without a leader. He added that the order for the parties to maintain the 'status quo ante bellum' created a leadership vacuum in the party.
He urged the court to take immediate action due to time constraints ahead of the 2027 general elections. The Supreme Court then issued procedural directions to fast-track the process, including the timelines for filing briefs and responses, citing the urgency of the matter ahead of the next election cycle. The substantive hearing was scheduled for Wednesday, April 22.
Analyst faults INEC decision on ADC crisis
Meanwhile, Binzak Azeez, a lawyer, while reacting to the decision of INEC on the ADC crisis, faulted the electoral body and alleged that it has been recruited by some external forces. He said:
"I agree with the leadership of the ADC that INEC, as the electoral umpire, has compromised the neutrality and integrity expected of an electoral institution. The commission has clearly shown that it is being controlled by some political interest, and this portends a monumental danger for Nigeria's democracy; hence, anarchy or military intervention."
Nigerians react to Supreme Court action
However, Nigerians have reacted to the court decision on the application. Below are some of their comments:
PragmaticDB criticised Mark and his supporters:
"David Mark supporters and sympathisers are all over the place arguing that the Court of Appeal ruling means he should be recognised. Why, then, are his lawyers applying for a stay of execution instead of asserting that INEC erred in implementing the judgment? Confused coalition."
Source: Twitter
Victor Olayinka faulted the lawyer:
"A SAN that filed a stay of execution was still the same as that applied to withdraw it because of time constraints. Was it that when he was filing it just last week, he didn't remember that time is almost against them? These are technical issues that you don't blame the ruling party for."
Abbey criticised the lawyer:
"The learned silk knew the outcome before filing. All is to give hope to his clients, just like first aid, always reassure the patient. They all know what they are doing."
Nonyelu Nkwuaku commended the lawyer:
"It's good and wise that Okutepa SAN withdrew the application for "stay of execution", because ADC are still enjoying the "status quo ante bellum" issued by the Court of Appeal. It's on this order of CA that ADC is doing their convention today. So Okutepa is wise and smart."
Watch the video of the court on X here:
Atiku, Kwankwaso, others lead protest in Abuja
Legit.ng earlier reported that former vice president Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Peter Obi and several ADC leaders staged a protest in Abuja.
The protesters were opposing INEC’s derecognition of ADC leaders following a court ruling on the party’s internal crisis.
However, the video of the opposition leaders protesting in Abuja generated mixed reactions from Nigerians.
Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
