FCT Minister Nyesom Wike Says ADC Remains in Legal Limbo After Supreme Court Ruling on Leadership Dispute
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has described the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as still facing significant legal challenges following the Supreme Court’s verdict delivered on April 30, 2026, in the ongoing party leadership crisis.
In a detailed press briefing, Wike, a senior lawyer, provided a point-by-point analysis of the apex court’s judgment, concluding that despite the ruling, the ADC has not secured a clear resolution and remains in a state of legal uncertainty.
Wike explained that the ADC had appealed the interpretation and application of a “status quo ante bellum” order previously issued by lower courts, arguing that the order was prejudicial to its interests. “From the Supreme Court judgment… if that ante bellum was not affecting them, they would not have gone on appeal,” he stated.
The Supreme Court vacated the Court of Appeal’s directive to maintain the status quo ante bellum. According to Wike, this decision underscored the ADC’s view that the preservatory order was injurious to its position. However, the apex court dismissed key aspects of the appeal and ordered the substantive matter to be remitted to the Federal High Court for a full trial on the rightful leadership of the party.
“All those who are right you have to go back to Federal High Court and continue with your matter,” Wike said, noting that the Supreme Court declined to set aside the Court of Appeal’s ruling directing the parties back to the trial court.
The minister cautioned against media interpretations suggesting that the David Mark-led faction had been fully restored, describing such claims as potentially overstated. He pointed out that the Supreme Court appeared to have questioned the necessity of the status quo order, given that the Federal High Court had not yet issued any substantive rulings beyond placing parties on notice.
Wike drew particular attention to existing judgments of the Federal High Court, which he described as unfavourable to the current ADC leadership position. Citing specific cases, including one presided over by Justice Omotoso and another involving Alai Sule Lamido, he warned that these rulings, combined with actions taken in alleged violation of court orders, continue to pose serious obstacles.
“Whether they go back to Federal High Court… the matter must have to continue until the final judgment of that court is given. But before that final judgement comes, there’s already a judgement by the same Federal High Court that has barred them from anything,” Wike said.
He stressed that the Supreme Court decision offers no immediate advantage or final resolution for the ADC faction.
Positioning his remarks as a professional legal assessment rather than political partisanship, Wike noted that he is not a member of the ADC and bears no personal animosity toward the party. He drew parallels with the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) internal leadership struggles, criticising factions that fail to make necessary political compromises, often resulting in protracted and avoidable litigation.
In summary, Wike reiterated that the ADC “is still in a big problem” and faces continued legal proceedings without any decisive edge from the latest Supreme Court intervention.
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