The African Democratic Congress has appealed the Federal High Court judgment that nullified the National Working Committee led by former Senate President David Mark, asking the Independent National Electoral Commission to refrain from taking any action that could affect the outcome of the appeal.
The party also said it had applied for a stay of execution of the judgment pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.
In a statement on Friday, the Director of Strategic Communications of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, said the party had formally notified INEC of the appeal and its application for a stay of execution.
The ADC urged the electoral commission to exercise restraint and allow the Court of Appeal to determine the dispute arising from the party’s leadership crisis.
It warned that any action by INEC while the appeal was pending could pre-empt the appellate court’s decision and complicate the resolution of the matter.
“The Commission must respect the judicial process and allow the appellate court to hear the case,” the party said.
“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 challenges the judgment delivered on Thursday, November 5, by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which nullified the Mark-led leadership and invalidated decisions taken by the party’s interim leadership.
The suit was filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC for 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 argued that the party’s constitution entitled him to assume leadership after Nwosu’s resignation because of his position as Deputy National Chairman for the North-East.
He also challenged the appointment of a caretaker committee led by Mark.
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 made by the interim leadership.
The court also invalidated the ADC presidential primary that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s candidate for the 2027 election, as well as other nominations made under the disputed leadership.
It further directed INEC not to recognise decisions reached at the party’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on July 27, 2025.
The judgment has deepened the party’s leadership crisis, raising questions about the status of its candidates and its participation in the 2027 general elections.
However, the Mark-led faction has rejected the ruling and vowed to challenge it in court.
Shaibu said the legal dispute would not disrupt the party’s political activities, insisting that its campaign would continue as planned.
He urged party members and supporters to remain calm, saying the ADC would pursue all lawful options to defend its interests and protect Nigerians’ right to choose their leaders.
“Our campaigns continue without interruption. There is no stopping the affordability train or our mission to make life better for Nigerians,” he said.
He added that the party was confident that the appellate court would consider its arguments and the relevant legal provisions, describing the appeal as an exercise of its constitutional right.
The ADC again urged INEC to avoid taking any steps that could interfere with the pending court proceedings.
