PDP, ADC leadership Tussle: S/court orders accelerated hearing

By Vivian Okejeme

The Supreme Court on Tuesday, ordered an accelerated hearing in legal battles bedeviling the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and its opposition party, Action Democratic Congress (ADC).
Also, in a separate but related matter involving African Democratic Congress (ADC), counsel to the party, J.S. Okutepa, SAN, sought an abridgement of time.
The five-member panel of the Apex court, thereby fixed April 22, for a definite hearing of the matter, hence, abridging timelines for all parties to file their processes.
When the matter was called for mention, counsel to the appellate(Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chris Uche (SAN) moved a motion urging the apex court to fast-track the matter.
He informed the court that a motion on notice, supported by an affidavit of extreme urgency, had been duly filed to justify the request.
Therefore, he reminded the court of the urgency and the far-reaching implications of the dispute on the party’s leadership structure.
In a related appeal, Paul Erukoro (SAN), also applied for accelerated hearing. The respondents did not oppose the application but sought five days to file their response.
The court also granted the request as prayed and directed that all necessary processes be filed within five days, ahead of the April 22 hearing date.
Earlier, in his response to the principal application for accelerated and expedient hearing , Emmanuel Ukala (SAN) did not oppose the motion but raised procedural concerns, noting that his team had only been served three days earlier.
He submitted that while 15 days would ordinarily be required to respond, but they could reasonably comply within 10 days given the circumstances.
Counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Kingsley Magbin aligned with the position of Ukala requesting 10 days to file a response.
Similarly, E.R. Gold, counsel representing the 6th respondent, asked for a 10-day window, while Audu Anuga, (SAN) counsel to the 8th and 9th respondents, did not oppose the application.
In the ruling, the lead judge, Justice Lawal Garba held that the court was persuaded by the affidavit of extreme urgency and submissions of counsel. “We find it expedient to grant these requests”
Therefore, the court ordered all respondents to file their processes within five days, with an additional two days allowed for replies where necessary.
The matter was thereafter adjourned to April 22, 2026, for hearing.
In a separate but related matter involving African Democratic Congress (ADC), counsel to the party, J.S. Okutepa, SAN, sought an abridgement of time.
The court, in line with its earlier stance, granted accelerated hearing and equally adjourned the case to April 22.
The apex court fixed April 22 for hearing of an appeal filed by the David Mark-led faction against Nafiu Bala, a former deputy national chairman of the party.
In the appeal marked SC/CV/180/2026, the ex-Senate President is asking the court to grant an order staying the execution of the Court of Appeal’s ruling delivered on March 12.