RismadarVoice Reporters
November 11, 2026
Members of the Forum of African Democratic Congress (ADC) Candidates have staged a protest at the Federal High Court in Abuja, demanding the immediate release of the Certified True Copy (CTC) of a judgment nullifying the party’s national leadership and its nominations for the 2027 general elections.
The protesters gathered at the court premises on Wednesday morning, displaying placards and chanting solidarity songs over what they described as an unjustified delay in releasing the judgment.
The ruling, delivered on November 5 by Justice Peter Lifu, nullified the emergence of former Senate President David Mark as ADC National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary.
The court also invalidated decisions taken under the leadership, including the presidential nomination of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and other candidates for the 2027 elections.
In a petition addressed to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, the protesters alleged that their lawyers had applied for the certified judgment and paid the required fees without receiving the document.
They argued that the delay could hinder their efforts to challenge the ruling through the appellate process.
Citing Sections 241 and 242 of the 1999 Constitution, the group maintained that affected candidates were entitled to pursue available legal remedies.
The protesters consequently demanded that the court registry release the document without further delay.
They also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to influence the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to implement the judgment.
However, the allegation of political interference has not been independently substantiated.
The group clarified that its demonstration was not intended to undermine the judiciary but to demand access to the judgment and protect its legal interests.
Meanwhile, the ADC leadership has already filed a notice of appeal against the November 5 ruling and submitted an application seeking a stay of execution.
The party has urged INEC to avoid taking steps that could prejudice the pending appeal.
The leadership dispute has created uncertainty over the status of ADC candidates ahead of the 2027 elections, with rival factions maintaining competing claims to the party’s structures.
Although the Federal High Court has delivered its judgment, the legal challenge remains ongoing.
The final implications for the party’s leadership and candidate nominations will depend on subsequent judicial decisions.
INEC’s position on the protesters’ latest demands had not been independently established at the time of this report.
