The Forum of 19 Northern State Chairmen of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected the Federal High Court judgment that removed the David Mark-led national leadership of the party, saying it will challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.
The forum also announced plans to petition the National Judicial Council (NJC), alleging procedural violations and disregard for an earlier ruling by a court of coordinate jurisdiction.
In a statement jointly signed by the chairmen on Tuesday, they faulted the November 5 judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja. They argued that it contradicted a July 2, 2026, judgment by Justice Musa Liman involving Leke Abejide and the ADC.
According to the chairmen, the earlier ruling validated the 21-day notice issued to the Independent National Electoral Commission, the resolutions of the party’s July 29, 2025 National Executive Committee meeting, and the transfer of leadership from founder Ralph Nwosu to the National Working Committee led by Mark and Rauf Aregbesola.
The forum also questioned the court’s jurisdiction over the internal administration of political parties and challenged the standing of the plaintiff, Bala Gombe, to institute the case. It alleged that the court dismissed 27 preliminary objections and applications for stay and joinder without granting the affected parties a hearing.
The chairmen further argued that the judgment affected candidates, including the presidential ticket led by Atiku Abubakar, who were not joined in the suit. They described this as a breach of their right to fair hearing and alleged that unnamed political interests were seeking to weaken the opposition.
The forum said its legal team had filed a notice of appeal and applications for interim injunctions and a stay of execution. It also reaffirmed its support for the Mark-led leadership and said it would submit its allegations of judicial misconduct to the NJC.
