ADC Supporters Protest at Abuja Court, Demand Certified Copy of Judgment

African Democratic Congress candidates and supporters protested at the gate of Nigeria’s Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, November 11, demanding a certified copy of the judgment that removed the party’s David Mark-led leadership and invalidated its nominations for the 2027 general elections. The demonstrators gathered under the Forum of ADC Candidates, seeking the document to pursue a challenge to the ruling. In a petition dated November 10 to the court’s Chief Judge, John Tsoho, the forum said its lawyers had applied for the Certified True Copy immediately after the judgment and paid the required fees. The petition, signed by Audu Aliyu on behalf of the candidates, alleged that repeated visits to the registry had not produced the copy five days later. “We have a constitutional right to appeal it,” the petition said. Yusuf Shehu Tijani, a former acting ADC chairman in the Federal Capital Territory, asked the National Judicial Council to intervene over the alleged delay. The candidates’ petition asked the Chief Judge to direct the registrar to release the copy within 24 hours of receiving their request, on or before November 11. Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment on November 5 in a case brought by Nafiu Bala Gombe challenging the party’s leadership. The ruling invalidated the Mark-led leadership’s decisions, including candidate nominations. The ADC filed a notice of appeal on November 6 and sought a stay of execution.