By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

A wave of political anxiety swept across Nigeria on Wednesday as the Supreme Court prepared to deliver decisive judgments in two high-stakes appeals involving the crises in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), even as a fresh Federal High Court ruling further complicated the ADC leadership tussle.

The apex court, according to its official cause list, has scheduled judgment in the ADC appeal (SC/CV/180/2026) for 2 p.

At the heart of the ADC dispute is a prolonged leadership battle between former Senate President, David Mark, and a rival faction led by Nafiu Bala Gombe. Mark is challenging a March 12 Court of Appeal decision that ordered all parties to maintain the status quo, arguing that the judiciary lacks jurisdiction over what he describes as an internal party matter.

The appeal, heard on April 22 by a five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Garba, was reserved for judgment, heightening tensions within the party. ADC lawyers have since pressed for urgency, warning that delays could jeopardise the party’s eligibility for the 2027 elections, especially amid concerns that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has already acted on a lower court ruling affecting party leadership recognition.

While the Supreme Court prepares to rule, a parallel development at the Federal High Court in Abuja has added another layer to the crisis.

In a judgment delivered by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, the court restrained INEC from recognising or participating in any congress organised by a disputed ADC caretaker leadership. The court also barred Mark and other key figures from interfering with the tenure and functions of duly elected state executive committees.

The suit, filed by Norman Obinna and six others on behalf of ADC state chairpersons, challenged the legality of the caretaker leadership’s actions, particularly its move to organise state congresses through an appointed committee.

Justice Abdulmalik held that although courts typically avoid вмешание in internal party affairs, they are duty-bound to intervene where constitutional or statutory violations are alleged. Citing Section 223 of the 1999 Constitution and relevant provisions of the ADC constitution, she ruled that only duly elected party organs have the authority to conduct congresses.

The court found the caretaker arrangement and its congress committee inconsistent with the party’s constitution and therefore invalid. It subsequently nullified the committee’s actions and affirmed the tenure of existing state executives, ordering that they be allowed to complete their terms without interference.

The ruling effectively blocks any parallel congress process and places further pressure on the Supreme Court’s pending decision, which is expected to provide clarity on the broader leadership dispute.

Although details of the PDP appeal remain less pronounced, the inclusion of the case in the Supreme Court’s schedule signals ongoing legal and structural tensions within Nigeria’s main opposition party.

With both parties grappling with internal divisions and legal uncertainty, Wednesday’s judicial outcomes are widely seen as pivotal. Analysts say the decisions could determine not only leadership legitimacy but also the ability of the parties to organise, mobilise, and meet regulatory requirements set by INEC ahead of the next general elections.

As the clock ticks toward the 2027 polls, the intersection of judicial intervention and party politics continues to redefine Nigeria’s electoral landscape, with the Supreme Court now poised at the centre of the unfolding drama.

From Marcel Duru, Owerri

 The former Commissioner in Imo state on Environmental Transformation and General Supervisor and coordinator of All Progressive Congress (APC), Willie Amadi has said the party in the State has adopted the Charter of Equity in the 2028 Governorship election in Imo State.

Speaking with  Journalists and stakeholders in Owerri, Imo state yesterday he revealed that all the APC political groups which Include OZOPOF, Owerri Leaders of Taught, Nzuko Owerri, OZAC amongst others have come together to form Owerri United.

He disclosed that in the last meeting with Council of Elders the former Inspector General of Police IGP Mike Okiro, Eze Ohanwe, Chief Enugasi popularly  call Ok 2000, the Chairman Imo Elders  Council Eze Ilomanya, the Political leaders in the three Senatorial Zones supported motion moved by Elder Dan Nwachukwu that the governorship position should be zoned to Owerri and the Incumbent governor Senator Hope Uzodimma should hand over 2028 governorship Staff to Owerri zone was unanimously adopted and sealed by the great leader of  Owerri,Orlu and Okigwe Zones which consolidated  Charter  of  Equity in Imo State, now Orlu, and Okigwe Zones will support Owerri to produce the next Governor of Imo State for the actualization of Charter of Equity”

Meanwhile, accepting the Charter of Equity the governor of Imo State Senator Hope Uzodimma said that he will call stakeholders to meet with Orlu, Okigwe and Owerri zones for the actualization of Charter of Equity come 2028.

In her contribution the former Transport Minister Dr, kema Chikwe highlighted that she trusted Governor Hope Uzodinma that the Charter of Equity should be successful   because in 1999 governor hope Uzodinma, Professor Obiozo, Professor Echerue, Achike Udenwa, I.D. Nwoga, Humphrey Anumodu  came in unity and appointed Chief Achike udenwa  who gave assurance that after eight years he will handover governorship staff to Owerri zone adding that he actually tried to have over to Owerri zone but the power that he could not allow any other political party In Imo State only PDP

Similarly Rev. Mike Nwanyanwu in his revelation said that Charter of Equity has chartered itself because Okigwe Zone has ruled for eight years starting from Chief Onuka Mbakwe who ruled from 1979 to 1983 then Chief Ikedi Ohakim from 2007 to 2011 giving Okigwe Zone eight years.

He added that Orlu Zone from Achikwe Udenwa in 1999-2007, Senator Rochas Okorocha from 2011 to 2019 and Hope Uzodimma from 2019, to 2027 will make Orlu Zone Governorship slot to 24 years.

He projected that Owerri Zone had Evans Enwerem only had only three Months of leadership and Chief Emeka Ihedioha had also seven Months totaled 10 Months

 Anyanwu however commented Chief Ostia Opara for donating Six million Naira that motivated instant Fund raising of N2 billion for the party’s campaign adding that from every indication, Owerri Zone deserved the governorship slot come 2028.

In the same vein, Chief Victor Okwe who disagreed with Charter of Equity told the Correspondent of Daily Asset that true democracy does not require Charter of Equity.

“Chart of Equity is not democratic, APC is talking about Charter of Equity because they are not interested or intended to give us good leadership”.

From Ifeanyichukwu Nwannah, Gusau

A former Zamfara Senator, Tijjani Yahaya Kaura has declared his intention to contest for Zamfara North Senatorial Seat in the 2027 general elections.

Senator Tijjani Yahaya Kaura, a former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, who also was in the Senate for Zamfara North Senatorial zone in the same  between 2015 and 2019.

Addressing newsmen in Gusau, Senator Kaura said his decision to contest the Zamfara North Senatorial Seat was borne out of his desire to provide quality representation and contribute to improving the wellbeing of the people, especially the provision of employment opportunities for qualified youths in the constituency and Zamfara tate in general.

“My intention followed my desire to contribute to the development of my people, ranging from employment opportunities, to Educational development which is one of the most important and critical investments of the people for the future of the constituency”, he added.

“I think a lot of things in my mind but, the major area of my priority is youth’s employment and empowerment”

“I noticed increasing number of our unemployed youths seeking for jobs, they always come to me seeking for employment”

“You know, when I was in office as Senator, I was able to record tremendous achievements in the area of securing jobs opportunities for our teeming youths where over five hundred youth were employed by my representation, pointing out that if elected my target is to provide jobs opportunities for two thousands youth in Zamfara North Senatorial District and Zamfara State in general”

“When I got the opportunity, I will continue from where I stopped. I am not in politics because of money and other material gain. I always join politics because of development, and youth’s empowerment”

“I am in politics to serve my people, not for selfish aggrandizement. My candidature for Zamfara North Senatorial district is to contribute to the development of my constituents, focusing on alleviating poverty and improving infrastructure for health, education and road network”

Senator Tijjani Yahaya Kaura commended the leadership of the APC in the State under Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara state for organizing a historic stakeholders meeting of the party which serves as the most historic event in the history of Zamfara State.

The former Senator said that the stakeholders meeting being attended by all the Four former governors, who governed the state including Senator Ahmad Sani Yariman Bakura, Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi, Senator Abdul’aziz Yari Abubukar and the current Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle.

“The stakeholders meeting is a strong demonstration of unity, trust and mutual understanding for the general development of the State”

“I think Governor Dauda Lawal should be commended for organizing the meeting which is the first of its kind in the state.

“The stakeholders meeting was a historic event that brought all the critical stakeholders in the state together in order to chart a common purpose which is putting Zamfara state at heart in all ramifications.

“As Governor Dauda Lawal rightly said, his decision of joining the APC was not for political reasons only, but for the general development of the State.

“I want to use this opportunity to call on the entire people of the state to support governor Dauda Lawal to succeed in promoting unity, peace and stability as well as general peace building, especially protecting our communities from lingering security challenges.”