The 19 Northern state chairmen of the African Democratic Congress have vowed to challenge the court decision that removed David Mark’s leadership of the party, announcing plans to appeal the ruling and report the matter to the National Judicial Council.
The chairmen, in a joint statement issued on Tuesday, faulted the November 5 judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, describing it as inconsistent with an earlier decision on the party’s leadership dispute.
They maintained that a ruling delivered by Justice Musa Liman on July 2 had already affirmed the leadership arrangement that transferred control of the party from its founder, Ralph Nwosu, to the National Working Committee headed by Mark and Rauf Aregbesola.
The forum said the earlier judgment also upheld the notice served on the Independent National Electoral Commission and the resolutions adopted at the party’s National Executive Committee meeting of July 29, 2025.
Questioning the latest court decision, the chairmen argued that the judiciary should not intervene in the internal administration of political parties.
They also disputed the plaintiff, Bala Gombe’s, right to institute the case, alleging that he had earlier relinquished his position in the party’s leadership.
The group further accused the court of denying several party members fair hearing by dismissing 27 preliminary objections and other applications without adequately considering their arguments.
It also faulted the decision for extending its effect to the party’s national executives and candidates, including the presidential ticket linked to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, arguing that those affected were not parties to the suit.
Reaffirming their allegiance to Mark’s leadership, the chairmen said they had initiated legal steps to overturn the judgment and secure interim protection for the party’s structure.
They added that their planned petition to the NJC would contain allegations of procedural breaches and disregard for an existing court decision, while urging members to remain calm and united.
