The African Democratic Congress (ADC) filed an appeal on Friday challenging a Federal High Court decision that removed its Senator David Mark‑led National Executive Committee and voided former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s nomination as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections. The party also submitted a motion for a stay of execution, asking the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to refrain from acting on the judgment while the appeal is pending.
What did the Federal High Court rule?
On Thursday, Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja declared the Mark‑led caretaker committee illegal and nullified all actions taken under its authority, including the primary that produced Atiku as the ADC flag bearer. The ruling stemmed from a suit filed by former National Deputy Chairman (North‑East) Nafiu Bala Gombe, who contended that, after the resignation of former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu, he was entitled to assume party leadership.
Why is the ADC seeking a stay of execution?
The ADC’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Shaibu Enejoh Aruwa, submitted a Notice of Appeal and a Motion on Notice for a stay of execution to the Court of Appeal. A copy of the documents, obtained by ARISE News, shows the party arguing that INEC must exercise restraint until the appellate process concludes, warning that premature action could undermine the court’s authority.
> “The application for a stay has not yet been determined. INEC must therefore > exercise restraint and not act as though the appeal and stay application do > not exist,” the statement read.
How has the party responded to the judgment?
ADC spokesperson Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication for the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, emphasized that the party is exercising its constitutional right to appeal. She urged INEC to respect the judicial process and allow the higher court to hear the case. Shaibu also called on party members and supporters to remain calm, assuring them that the legal challenge does not halt the party’s campaign activities.
> “Our campaigns continue without interruption. There is no stopping the > affordability train or our mission to make life better for Nigerians,” > Shaibu declared.
What are the next steps?
The appeal introduces a new phase in the ADC’s internal leadership dispute. While the stay of execution has not yet been granted, the party remains confident that the Court of Appeal will consider its arguments. The ADC reiterated its commitment to democratic processes and to protecting the rights of its members and voters as the 2027 election timeline advances.
Background context
The ADC’s internal crisis began after Ralph Nwosu stepped down as National Chairman, prompting a power struggle that led to the formation of a caretaker committee headed by Senator David Mark. The Federal High Court’s decision effectively invalidated that committee’s actions, including the primary that selected Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential flag bearer. The appeal seeks to overturn that judgment and restore the party’s leadership structure ahead of the upcoming elections.
The ADC’s appeal and stay application remain pending before the Court of Appeal, and the party has asked INEC to await the outcome before taking any consequential steps.