ADC Members Protest Delayed Release of Judgment Sacking Mark-Led NWC

Members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have protested the delay in releasing the certified true copy of a Federal High Court judgment that removed the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) led by former Senate President David Mark.

The protest follows the November 5, 2026 judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which nullified the Mark-led interim leadership and invalidated decisions taken by the committee, including the process that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate.

The ADC has demanded the immediate release of the certified true copy of the judgment, saying its legal representatives have submitted the necessary applications and paid the prescribed fees but have yet to receive the document.

The party’s Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, said counsel to the first defendant submitted a formal application on November 6, while counsel to the third defendant applied on the day the judgment was delivered.

According to him, both applications carried the court’s payment stamp, indicating that the required fees had been paid.

Shaibu argued that the delay was preventing the affected parties from examining the precise orders made by the court and taking appropriate legal steps.

He called on the court to explain why the certified copy had not been released despite the completion of the required procedures.

The leadership dispute arose from a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC National Deputy Chairman for the North-East, who challenged the process through which Mark and other members of the interim committee assumed leadership following the resignation of former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu.

The court ruled in favour of Bala Gombe, declaring the emergence of the Mark-led leadership invalid.

However, the ADC has challenged the ruling, filing a notice of appeal and an application for a stay of execution. National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola has also written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), asking it not to alter the party’s leadership records while the legal proceedings remain pending.

The controversy has further divided party members, with a forum of 19 northern state chairmen rejecting the judgment and announcing plans to petition the National Judicial Council over alleged procedural irregularities.

The development has intensified the leadership crisis within the opposition party as preparations for the 2027 general elections continue.