The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has filed an appeal against the Federal High Court Abuja Division judgment nullifying the David Mark-led leadership of the party asking for a stay of execution by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) pending the determination of the appeal
The development followed the judgement delivered on November 5, 2026, by Justice Peter Lifu, sacking all candidates vying for different positions in the 2027 general elections and the David Mark – led National Working Committee (NWC).
This was disclosed in a statement on Friday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.
Shaibu said INEC had been formally notified of the legal action but application for a stay of execution had yet to be determined. He insisted that INEC must not take any action before the appeal is heard warning that doing so could undermine the resolution of the matter
“The Commission must respect the judicial process and allow the appellate court to hear the case,” he said.
The party’s lawyers, S. E. Aruwa, SAN & Co., also reportedly wrote to the INEC chairman on November 6, notifying the commission of the appeal and the application for a stay of execution.
In the letter, the lawyers asked INEC to suspend further action on the subject matter of the suit pending the determination of the appeal.
The ADC, however, said it would not be intimidated by the legal problems saying its political activities for the 2027 general election will go on.
“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,” Shaibu said.
He urged party members and supporters to remain calm and confident, adding that the party would continue to take its message to Nigerians.
“Our campaigns continue without interruption. There is no stopping the affordability train or our mission to make life better for Nigerians,” he said.
Justice Lifu’s judgment arose from a suit instituted 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 caretaker committee following the resignation of former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu.
Bala argued that he was constitutionally entitled to assume the party’s leadership after Nwosu stepped down.
The court ruled against the Mark-led leadership, nullifying the caretaker committee and its decisions, including actions relating to the party’s process for selecting its 2027 presidential candidate.
