ADC Seeks Stay Of Execution, Challenges Court Ruling On Mark-Led Leadership

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has appealed the judgement of the Federal High Court in Abuja which nullified the Senator David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

The party also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to refrain from taking any action that could undermine the outcome of the appeal pending the determination of the matter by the Court of Appeal.

The ADC disclosed that it had filed an application for a stay of execution of the judgement, pending the hearing and determination of its appeal.

The party made this known in a statement issued on Friday by the Director of Strategic Communication of its Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, who said INEC was formally notified of the appeal and the application for a stay of execution on November 6.

It called on the electoral umpire to exercise restraint and allow the appellate court to determine the legal issues surrounding the party’s 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 decision of the Court of Appeal and complicate the 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,” the statement added.

The appeal followed a judgement delivered on November 5 by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which nullified the leadership of the party led by former Senate President, David Mark, and invalidated decisions taken under the disputed leadership.

The court had ruled in favour of Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC from the North-East, who 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, by virtue of his position as Deputy National Chairman (North-East), he was constitutionally entitled to assume the party’s leadership following Nwosu’s resignation, rather than the appointment of a caretaker committee led by Mark.

In his ruling, Justice Lifu upheld Gombe’s claims, nullifying the emergence of Mark as National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, alongside other appointments and decisions taken by the interim leadership.

The court also nullified the ADC presidential primary that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s candidate for the 2027 general election, as well as other nominations made under the disputed leadership.

Furthermore, the court directed INEC not to recognise decisions taken at the party’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on July 27, 2025, effectively upholding Gombe’s claim to the party’s national leadership.

The judgement has heightened the leadership crisis within the opposition party, with concerns mounting over the implications for its candidates and participation in the 2027 general elections.

However, the Mark-led faction has rejected the ruling and vowed to challenge it at the Court of Appeal.

Despite the legal battle, the party assured its members and supporters that its political activities and campaign would continue without interruption.

Reaffirming the party’s commitment to its political agenda, Shaibu said the development would not derail its efforts to mobilise Nigerians ahead of the 2027 elections.

“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 party members and supporters to remain calm, assuring them that the ADC would explore all lawful avenues to protect its interests and uphold the right of Nigerians to freely 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 appeal was a constitutional right and called on INEC to avoid taking steps capable of complicating the proceedings before the appellate court.