ADC MEMBERS PROTEST DELAYED RELEASE OF JUDGMENT SACKING MARK-LED NWC

Members of the African Democratic Congress protested at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, demanding a certified copy of the judgment that nullified the party’s David Mark-led National Working Committee.

The protesters alleged that the delay was hindering their efforts to challenge the November 5 ruling and called on the National Judicial Council to intervene.

Former acting ADC chairman in the Federal Capital Territory, Yusuf Shehu Tijani, said the party needed the Certified True Copy to pursue its appeal.

The demonstration followed a November 10 petition from the ADC candidates’ forum to the court’s Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho.

The petitioners said their lawyers applied for the document immediately after the judgment and paid the required fees, but had not received it despite repeated visits to the registry.

They urged the Chief Judge to direct its release within 24 hours, warning that further delays could affect their ability to seek redress within the election timetable.

The group also alleged that the APC was pressuring the Independent National Electoral Commission to implement the ruling. That allegation was not independently established in the report.

Justice Peter Lifu’s judgment nullified Mark’s emergence as national chairman and invalidated decisions made under his leadership, including the process that produced Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate.

The case was brought by former deputy national chairman Nafiu Bala Gombe, who argued that he was entitled to lead the party following Ralph Nwosu’s resignation.

The ADC filed a notice of appeal on November 6 and applied for a stay of execution. It has urged INEC to avoid actions that could prejudice the appeal.

The protesters maintained that their demand was for access to the court document so they could continue the legal challenge.