Follow Us on Google
From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Sequel to the Abuja Federal High Court judgement that sacked the David Mark-led Interim National Working Committee of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the state chairmen of the party have told the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to obey the verdict.
Justice Peter Lifu, on Thursday, 5 November 2026, nullified all decisions taken by the Mark-led NWC, as well as the candidacy of its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and all down-ballot candidates.
Secretary of Chairmen Forum, Kennedy Odion, who addressed journalists in Abuja, on Friday, claimed that the verdict reflected the wishes of the members.
He warned that the failure of INEC to recognise the Nafiu Bala-led NWC would trigger a nationwide protest.
“We urgently advise INEC to obey the court judgment and immediately replace the names of David Mark and the displaced, illegal NWC members on its portal with Nafiu Bala’s name.
“INEC should open its portal to give the ADC the maximum time available to conduct mini-primaries where necessary and upload its authentic candidates.
“Failure to comply with this latest judgment will leave us no option but to proceed with our planned nationwide protest against the electoral umpire. Nigeria is for all of us. No individual, however highly placed, is above the law.
Other News
“As we relish the elusive tranquility that has finally returned to the ADC and the end of the executive rascality that brought Sen. David Mark and his co-travellers into the ADC, we say: Enough of this annoying favouritism towards the elites,” he said.
With the judgment, Odion argued that the judiciary had once again proved itself to be the hope of the common man.
“We therefore salute the judiciary’s courage in upholding justice despite the illegal NWC’s propaganda against it, which made the judiciary a public spectacle and exposed it to opprobrium.
“We, the only legally recognised NEC members, accept in its entirety the judgment declaring our own Alhaji Nafiu Bala Gombe the authentic national chairman of the ADC.
“It confirms what we have consistently emphasised: Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, his running mate, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, and all down-ballot candidates were not the authentic ADC candidates.
“As we await the Supreme Court’s decision on the Federal High Court judgment of Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, which the Appeal Court upheld, we pledge to give Nafiu Bala all the support and loyalty he needs to lead the party out of the chasm,” he added.
ADC Abia State Chairman Norman Obinna, also called on INEC to recognise duly elected candidates of the party ahead of next year’s general polls.
