ADC Appeals Judgement Sacking Mark's Leadership, Seeks Stay (Of Execution
The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has appealed the Federal High Court judgment nullifying the David Mark-led leadership of the party.
The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has appealed the Federal High Court judgment nullifying the David Mark-led leadership of the party.
The party also asked the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to suspend any consequential action until the determination of the matter by the Court of Appeal.
Furthermore, the ADC also, filed an application for a stay of execution of the judgment delivered on November 5, 2026, by Justice Peter Lifu in Abuja.
These were contained in a statement on Friday by the Director of Strategic Communication of its Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu.
According to Shaibu, INEC was formally notified on November 6 of both the notice of appeal and the application for a stay of execution of the lower court's judgement.
According to Shaibu, INEC was formally notified on November 6 of both the notice of appeal and the application for a stay of execution of the lower court's judgement.
The ADC noted that the stay application was yet to be determined, making it necessary for INEC to exercise restraint while the legal process continued.
“The Commission must respect the judicial process and allow the appellate court to hear the case,” Shaibu added.
ADC warned that any consequential action by INEC before the appeal was heard could preempt the Court of Appeal and affect the resolution of the dispute.
The party’s lawyers, S. E. Aruwa, SAN & Co., separately wrote to the INEC chairman on November 6, urging the commission to suspend further action on the subject matter of the suit pending determination of the appeal, pointing out that its political activities including preparations for the 2027 general election, would however, continue despite the court battle.
“This is not the end of the road. The ADC is taking every lawful step to defend its rights, and we will not be intimidated or distracted from that responsibility.
“The Commission must respect the judicial process and allow the appellate court to hear the case,” Shaibu added.
ADC warned that any consequential action by INEC before the appeal was heard could preempt the Court of Appeal and affect the resolution of the dispute.
The party’s lawyers, S. E. Aruwa, SAN & Co., separately wrote to the INEC chairman on November 6, urging the commission to suspend further action on the subject matter of the suit pending determination of the appeal, pointing out that its political activities including preparations for the 2027 general election, would however, continue despite the court battle.
“This is not the end of the road. The ADC is taking every lawful step to defend its rights, and we will not be intimidated or distracted from that responsibility.
“Our campaigns continue without interruption. There is no stopping the affordability train or our mission to make life better for Nigerians,” Shaibu further said, and urged party members and supporters to remain calm, as the party would continue taking its message to Nigerians.
Justice Lifu’s judgment followed a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC National Deputy Chairman for the North-East, who challenged the process through which Mark and other members of the caretaker committee assumed control of the party after former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu resigned.
Gombe argued that, under the party’s constitution, he was entitled to assume leadership following Nwosu’s resignation rather than have a caretaker committee headed by Mark installed.
The court ruled in Bala’s favour, nullifying the Mark-led caretaker committee and decisions taken under its authority, thereby affecting the party’s process for selecting its 2027 presidential candidate, including the nomination of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
The ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi had described the judgement as an attempt to weaken the opposition and deny Nigerians the opportunity to choose their leaders.
Gombe argued that, under the party’s constitution, he was entitled to assume leadership following Nwosu’s resignation rather than have a caretaker committee headed by Mark installed.
The court ruled in Bala’s favour, nullifying the Mark-led caretaker committee and decisions taken under its authority, thereby affecting the party’s process for selecting its 2027 presidential candidate, including the nomination of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
The ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi had described the judgement as an attempt to weaken the opposition and deny Nigerians the opportunity to choose their leaders.
What's Your Reaction?
