WorldStage– It may not yet be Uhuru for any of the factions in the leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the Supreme Court judgement on Thursday, April 30, 2026 appears to have only reset the
leadership battle rather than resolved it by returning the case to trial court.
Facts of the ruling
● Supreme Court resets ADC leadership dispute, sends case back to trial court
● The Apex Court sets aside Court of Appeal’s “Ante Bellum” Order in ADC case
● Leadership contest between David Mark and rival faction remains unresolved
● Supreme Court declines to determine substantive ownership of party leadership
● Federal High Court reassigned as venue for full hearing of the dispute
● INEC-linked administrative implications of earlier appellate orders effectively neutralised
● Parties return to trial stage after months of appellate litigation
● No final judgment on ADC leadership despite wide public interpretation of ruling
● Legal process restart raises concerns over electoral timelines and party stability
● Celebration within party premature as Supreme Court ruling is procedural, not decisive.
