ADC Challenges Court Ruling on Leadership, Urges INEC Restraint

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has formally initiated an appeal against a recent Federal High Court judgment that invalidated the party’s caretaker leadership, currently headed by David Mark. The legal challenge follows a ruling delivered on November 5, 2026, by Justice Peter Lifu, which effectively nullified the committee’s authority and its subsequent administrative decisions.

The Legal Dispute

The controversy stems from a lawsuit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former National Deputy Chairman for the North-East. Gombe contested the legitimacy of the caretaker committee that assumed control following the resignation of the party’s former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu. Gombe argued that, under the party’s constitution, he was the rightful successor to the leadership position. Justice Lifu’s ruling upheld this challenge, declaring the caretaker committee’s actions—including those related to the selection process for the party’s 2027 presidential candidate—as void.

ADC’s Response to the Ruling

In a statement released on Friday, Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication for the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, confirmed that the party has filed both a notice of appeal and an application for a stay of execution. The party’s legal representatives, S. E. Aruwa, SAN & Co., have formally notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of these filings. The ADC is urging the commission to refrain from taking any consequential actions regarding the party’s leadership status while the matter is sub judice.

Shaibu emphasized that the party expects the electoral body to respect the ongoing judicial process. “The Commission must respect the judicial process and allow the appellate court to hear the case,” Shaibu stated, warning that any preemptive action by INEC could undermine the resolution of the dispute.

Impact on 2027 Election Preparations

Despite the legal uncertainty surrounding its leadership, the ADC maintains that its political operations remain unaffected. The party has explicitly stated that its preparations for the 2027 general election will continue without interruption. This includes the campaign efforts involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, whose candidacy was established under the now-nullified committee’s processes.

Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC National Publicity Secretary, characterized the court’s decision as an effort to weaken the opposition. Meanwhile, the party leadership has called for calm among its supporters, framing the legal battle as a necessary step to defend the party’s rights and maintain its focus on its broader political objectives.

Conclusion

As the case moves to the Court of Appeal, the ADC remains in a state of legal flux. The outcome of the application for a stay of execution will be a critical factor in determining how INEC interacts with the party in the coming weeks. For now, the party continues to operate under the assumption that its campaign activities will proceed as planned, pending further judicial intervention.

<

p class=”vbna-source-note”>Source: Channels Television

Tags: 2027 Elections · ADC · INEC · Legal News · news · Nigerian Politics · ViralBrief