ADC Appeals Judgment Sacking Mark-led Leadership
The African Democratic Congress has appealed the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which removed the Senator David Mark-led National Working Committee of the party, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission not to take any action capable of prejudicing the outcome of the appeal.
The party also disclosed that it had filed an application for a stay of execution of the judgment pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.
The ADC, in a statement issued on Friday by the Director of Strategic Communication of its Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, said INEC had been formally notified of the appeal and the application for a stay of execution on November 6.
It urged the electoral commission to exercise restraint and allow the appellate court to determine the issues arising from the protracted leadership crisis.
“The Commission must respect the judicial process and allow the appellate court to hear the case,” the party said.
The ADC warned that any consequential action by INEC while the appeal remained pending could pre-empt the Court of Appeal and undermine the proper resolution of the dispute.
“The judgment is now under challenge before a higher court, and the legal process must be allowed to run its course. We expect INEC to uphold the law and take full account of the pending proceedings before making any consequential decision,” it added.
The appeal followed a judgment delivered on Thursday, November 5, by Justice Peter Lifu, which nullified the leadership of the ADC led by former Senate President David Mark and invalidated decisions taken by the party under the leadership.
The court ruled in favour of Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the party (North-East), who had challenged the emergence of Mark and other members of the interim National Working Committee following the resignation of former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu.
Gombe had argued that, having served as Deputy National Chairman (North-East), he was constitutionally entitled to assume the party’s leadership after Nwosu’s resignation, rather than the appointment of a caretaker committee headed by Mark.
In his judgment, Justice Lifu upheld Gombe’s claims, nullified the emergence of Mark as National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, and invalidated other appointments and decisions made by the interim leadership.
The judge also nullified the party’s presidential primary that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as its candidate for the 2027 general election, alongside other nominations made under the disputed leadership.
He further directed INEC not to recognise decisions taken at the ADC’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting of July 27, 2025. The ruling effectively restored Gombe’s claim to the party’s national leadership. Pointblank News +2
The judgment has intensified the leadership crisis within the opposition party, particularly as the 2027 general election approaches, with the fate of its candidates and its participation in the electoral process now at the centre of the controversy.
However, the ADC leadership loyal to Mark has rejected the ruling and vowed to challenge it at the Court of Appeal.
Reassuring party members that the legal battle would not distract it from its political activities, Shaibu said the party’s campaign would continue despite the development.
“Our campaigns continue without interruption. There is no stopping the affordability train or our mission to make life better for Nigerians,” he said.
He urged members and supporters to remain calm, insisting that the party would explore every lawful avenue to protect its interests and the right of Nigerians to choose their leaders.
“We are confident that the facts and the law will receive a full hearing. The ADC will continue to pursue this matter through the courts and stand for a democratic process in which every party and every voter is treated fairly,” he added.
The party maintained that its decision to appeal was an exercise of its constitutional right and urged INEC to avoid taking steps that could complicate the proceedings before the appellate court.
