ADC Takes David Mark Leadership Dispute To Appeal Court, Seeks Suspension Of Judgment

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has appealed the Federal High Court judgment that sacked the David Mark-led party leadership, filing an application for a stay of execution pending the determination of its appeal.

The party has also formally notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the legal action, urging the electoral body not to take any consequential steps on the disputed leadership structure while the matter remains before the appellate court.

The development was announced in a statement by the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, who confirmed that the party had filed both a Notice of Appeal and a Motion on Notice for Stay of Execution.

Copies of the court processes, signed by Shaibu Enejoh Aruwa (SAN) and forwarded to INEC, were obtained by Arise News on Friday.

The appeal challenges the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which removed the David Mark-led executive and invalidated the party’s leadership structure, with implications for its preparations for the 2027 general elections and the political aspirations of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

ADC said the application for a stay of execution was yet to be determined, insisting that INEC must exercise caution and respect the ongoing judicial process.

“The application for a stay has not yet been determined. INEC must therefore exercise restraint. It must not act as though the appeal and stay application do not exist, or take any step that could pre-empt the Court of Appeal and undermine the proper resolution of this matter,” the statement said.

The party maintained that its decision to challenge the ruling was a lawful exercise of its right to seek judicial redress, adding that the appellate court should be allowed to examine the issues before any further administrative action is taken.

It urged INEC to consider the pending proceedings before making decisions that could affect the party’s leadership and political activities.

Reassuring its members and supporters, the ADC called for calm, confidence and continued commitment to the party, declaring that the court judgment would not halt its political mobilisation.

The campaign council said its activities would continue while the legal battle progresses, insisting that the party remained focused on presenting its political agenda to Nigerians.

“Our campaigns continue without interruption. There is no stopping the affordability train or our mission to make life better for Nigerians. We will keep taking our message to the people as we pursue every lawful avenue to defend our rights,” Shaibu said.

The party further expressed confidence that the facts and applicable laws would receive proper consideration by the appellate court.

The legal challenge introduces another dimension to the dispute over the ADC’s leadership, with the outcome likely to shape the party’s organisational direction and preparations for the 2027 elections.

For now, the party says it will pursue the appeal while continuing its political activities, as attention shifts to the Court of Appeal and INEC’s response to the pending proceedings.