ADC Protesters Take Mark Judgment Dispute to NJC, UN, EU, UK, US Embassies

Members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Wednesday staged a protest at the Federal High Court in Abuja over the continued delay in releasing the Certified True Copy (CTC) of a judgment nullifying the party’s National Working Committee led by former Senate President David Mark.

The protesters also extended their campaign to the National Judicial Council (NJC), the United Nations (UN), European Union (EU), British High Commission and United States Embassy, seeking attention over what they described as a threat to their right of appeal and due process.

The dispute followed a November 5 judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, which nullified Mark’s emergence as the ADC National Chairman and invalidated decisions taken under his leadership.

The protesters accused the court of failing to release the certified copy despite an application by the party’s lawyers and payment of the prescribed fees. They argued that the delay was preventing the party from effectively challenging the ruling at the Court of Appeal.

Speaking during the demonstration, former Acting Chairman of the ADC in the Federal Capital Territory, Yusuf Shehu Tijani, called on the NJC to intervene and ensure the release of the judgment.

He questioned why the certified copy had not been made available to the party, insisting that it needed the document to pursue its legal options.

The protesters submitted letters to the diplomatic missions, requesting attention to the dispute and urging them to encourage respect for due process, the right of appeal and credible elections in Nigeria.

In their correspondence, members of the Forum of ADC Candidates in Nigeria also urged the international organisations and diplomatic missions to monitor developments and encourage relevant authorities to avoid actions that could affect the party’s electoral participation while legal challenges remain pending.

The group further called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain neutrality and transparency in handling the dispute.

The protest followed a November 10 petition to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, in which the ADC candidates demanded the immediate release of the certified judgment.

The ADC had filed a notice of appeal on November 6 and also applied for a stay of execution, seeking to prevent actions that could prejudice the outcome of the appeal.

The original suit was filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former deputy national chairman of the party, who challenged Mark’s emergence as national chairman.

The dispute remains subject to further judicial proceedings, with the ADC insisting that it must have access to the judgment to exercise its right of appeal.