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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has appealed the High Court judgment that removed the Senator David Mark-led National Working Committee, asking the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) 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.
Punch reports that the ADC, in a statement issued on Friday, November 6, by its Presidential Campaign Council’s Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said it had formally notified INEC of the appeal and its application for a stay of execution.
It urged the electoral commission to exercise restraint and allow the Court of Appeal to determine the dispute arising from the party’s leadership crisis.
The party 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 dispute.
It called on the commission to consider the ongoing legal proceedings before making decisions with consequences for the party.
“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 a judgment delivered on Thursday, November 5, by Justice Peter Lifu of the High Court in Abuja, which nullified the leadership of the ADC under former Senate President David Mark and invalidated decisions taken by the party’s interim leadership.
The case was brought by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the party for the North-East, who challenged the emergence of Mark and other members of the interim National Working Committee after former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu resigned.
Gombe argued that the party’s constitution entitled him to assume its leadership following Nwosu’s resignation, based on his position as Deputy National Chairman for the North-East. He opposed 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, as well as 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 general election, along with other nominations made under the disputed leadership.
It further ordered INEC not to recognise decisions reached at the party’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on July 27, 2025. The ruling effectively upheld Gombe’s claim to the party’s national leadership.
The judgment has deepened the ADC’s leadership crisis, with the validity of its candidates and its participation in the 2027 elections now in question.
However, the Mark-led faction has rejected the ruling and vowed to challenge it at the Court of Appeal.
Shaibu maintained that the legal dispute would not disrupt the party’s political activities, saying its campaign would continue as planned.
He urged members and supporters to remain calm, adding that the party 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.
“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 ADC expressed confidence that the appellate court would consider its arguments and the relevant legal provisions, describing the appeal as an exercise of its constitutional right. It again urged INEC not to take any steps that could interfere with the pending proceedings.
