THE opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) holds its much anticipated National Convention today in Abuja despite contrary position taken by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against the exercise.
The ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, confirmed this to Nigerian Tribune on Monday.
This is coming after the completion of its Polling Unit, Ward, Local Government, and State Congresses which held between 7th and 11th April 2026.
The convention will equally hold on a day the Supreme Court will hear an appeal filed by Senator Mark, seeking an order staying the execution of the March 12 judgment of the Court of Appeal.
The apex court, in a hearing notice with appeal number: SC/CV/180/2026 between Sen. Mark vs Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe and four others, said the proceeding is scheduled for April 14.
The hearing notice was sent to the parties in the case through the Litigation Department of the Supreme Court on Friday.
The hearing date also coincides with the date earlier fixed by the trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja.
Nigerian Tribune learnt that while the two cases will be coming up today, the lower court may step down the matter or adjourn its matter pending the hearing at the apex court, in line with the superiority of courts.
Mark, the appellant in the appeal, had named Hon Nafiu Bala Gombe, ADC, Rauf Aregbesola, Independent National Electoral Commission and Chief Ralph Nwosu as 1st to 5th respondents, respectively.
Mark, in the motion on notice filed by his lawyer, Realwan Okpanachi, prayed the court for an order of stay of execution of the appellate court’s judgment pending the hearing and determination of his appeal.
He also sought an order restraining INEC from acting on the Appeal Court’s judgment by recognising any person(s) other than him and the existing national officers of ADC, pending the hearing and determination of his appeal.
Mark, the former Senate president, further prayed the apex court for an order, restraining INEC from tampering with the national leadership structure of the party as presently constituted and represented by him, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.
Besides, he sought an order staying further proceedings in suit number: FHC ABJ CS 1819 2025, pending before Justice Nwite, the trial judge, at FHC, pending the hearing and determination of his appeal at the apex court.
The motion on notice was brought by his lawyer pursuant to Sections 6(6)(a) and 233 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended); Order 4, Rule 1 of the Supreme Court’s Rules 7074 and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court.
INEC had, on April 1, removed the names of Mark and Aregbesola from its official portal and website as ADC’s national chairman and national secretary, respectively, following the Appeal Court’s judgement.
In reaction to INEC’s decision, Mark filed a motion on notice before Justice Nwite on April 7 by his new lawyer, Sulaiman Usman, SAN, praying the court to order the commission to restore their names as they were, prior to the institution of the suit by Gombe.
He also sought an order for accelerated hearing of the case and the judge fixed April 14 for hearing.
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