ADC Appeals Court Ruling Nullifying David Mark-Led Leadership, Asks INEC to Suspend Action

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has appealed the Federal High Court judgment nullifying the David Mark-led leadership of the party, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to suspend any consequential action pending the determination of the appeal.

The party said it had filed a notice of appeal against the judgment delivered on November 5, 2026, by Justice Peter Lifu, alongside an application seeking a stay of execution.

The development was disclosed on Friday in a statement by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, who said INEC had been formally notified of the legal proceedings.

ADC Urges INEC to Await Appeal

Shaibu said the application for a stay of execution was yet to be determined and urged the electoral commission not to take steps that could affect the subject matter of the dispute.

“The Commission must respect the judicial process and allow the appellate court to hear the case,” he said.

The party's legal representatives, S. E. Aruwa, SAN & Co., also wrote to the INEC chairman on November 6, formally notifying the commission of the appeal and the application for a stay of execution.

In the letter, the lawyers requested that INEC suspend further action relating to the matter until the appeal is determined.

Party Says 2027 Preparations Will Continue

Despite the court ruling, the ADC said its political activities and preparations for the 2027 general election would continue without interruption.

Shaibu urged party members and supporters to remain calm, insisting that the party would pursue all available legal options to defend its position.

“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,” he said.

He added that the party would continue its campaigns and engagement with Nigerians while the legal process unfolds.

Background to the Court Judgment

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 emergence of Mark and other members of the party's caretaker committee.

Bala argued that he was constitutionally entitled to assume the party's leadership following the resignation of former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu.

The court ruled against the Mark-led leadership, nullifying the caretaker committee and its decisions, including actions relating to the process for selecting the party's 2027 presidential candidate.

The judgment also affected the process that produced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the party's presidential candidate.

Reacting to the ruling, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, described it as an attempt to weaken the opposition and deny Nigerians the opportunity to choose their leaders.

The party's appeal now places the dispute before the Court of Appeal, while its application seeking to suspend the execution of the judgment remains pending.

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