INEC YET TO RECEIVE COURT JUDGMENT NULLIFYING DAVID MARK-LED ADC LEADERSHIP

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By: Hammad Fasasi

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it is yet to receive the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Federal High Court judgment nullifying the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by former Senate President David Mark.

The commission also dismissed reports claiming that it had removed former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Rotimi Amaechi, from its online portal, describing the reports as unfounded.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, disclosed this to journalists in Abuja on Friday.

Haruna explained that the commission had neither reviewed the judgment nor decided on the next course of action because it was yet to officially obtain the court document.

He noted that securing a Certified True Copy of a court judgment could take several days, adding that the process usually takes about a week.

The clarification comes after Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja nullified the David Mark-led leadership of the ADC and invalidated decisions taken by the disputed leadership, including the process through which the party selected its candidates for the 2027 general elections.

The judgment followed a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the party representing the North-East, who challenged the emergence of the Mark-led leadership.

The court held that the process through which the leadership assumed office did not comply with relevant provisions of the Electoral Act, leading to the nullification of its actions.

However, the ADC has rejected the judgment and announced plans to challenge the decision at the appellate court.

The party also disclosed that it had filed an application for a stay of execution pending the determination of its appeal.

It urged INEC not to take any action based on the judgment that could affect its political activities or undermine the ongoing legal process.

The ADC further said it had formally notified the electoral commission of its appeal and the application seeking a stay of execution.