The David Mark-led faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has approached the Court of Appeal to challenge the Federal High Court judgement that nullified its leadership.
The party has also filed an application seeking a stay of execution of the judgement pending the hearing and determination of its appeal.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the faction on Friday, November 6, 2026, in which it confirmed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had been formally notified of the legal action.
The appeal challenges the decision delivered on Thursday, November 5, by the Federal High Court in Abuja in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1619/2025, involving Nafiu Bala Gombe and the ADC.
Following the development, the party urged INEC to suspend any action relating to the judgement until the appellate court has considered its application.
The faction argued that the electoral commission should not take steps capable of affecting the outcome of the pending appeal, particularly as its application for a stay of execution had yet to be determined.
In the statement, the ADC maintained that it was exercising its constitutional right to challenge the ruling through the appropriate legal channels.
“The ADC is exercising its lawful right to appeal. The judgement is now being challenged before a higher court, and the legal process must be allowed to run its course,” the statement read.
The party also called on INEC to respect the ongoing judicial process and avoid making decisions that could prejudice the appeal.
“We expect INEC to uphold the law and take full account of the pending proceedings before making any consequential decisions,” it added.
Despite the legal setback, the Mark-led faction assured members and supporters that its political activities would continue without interruption.
It insisted that the court ruling would not derail its preparations for the 2027 general elections, promising to explore all available legal options to defend its position.
“Our campaigns continue without interruption. There is no stopping the affordability train or our mission to make life better for Nigerians. We will continue taking our message to the people as we pursue every lawful avenue to defend our rights,” the statement further stated.
The faction expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal would carefully consider its arguments and deliver a favourable decision.
The latest development follows Thursday’s judgement by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which removed the Mark-led interim leadership of the ADC.
The ruling also invalidated decisions taken by the party’s dissolved interim National Working Committee, including those relating to its congresses, national convention and the emergence of candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
The judgement has cast uncertainty over former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s anticipated presidential bid on the ADC platform.
It has also triggered reactions from opposition figures and political stakeholders, some of whom have criticised the ruling and raised concerns about its implications for opposition politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
