The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially appealed the Abuja Federal High Court ruling issued on November 5, 2026, in the legal battle between Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe and the party.
The party has also filed an application for a stay of execution pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.
INEC was formally notified of these steps on 6 November and urged to refrain from taking further action on the subject matter while the appeal is pending.
“The application for a stay has not yet been determined. INEC must therefore exercise restraint. It must not act as though the appeal and stay application do not exist, or take any step that could pre-empt the Court of Appeal and undermine the proper resolution of this matter. The Commission must respect the judicial process and allow the appellate court to hear the case.”
“The ADC is exercising its lawful right to appeal. The judgment is now under challenge before a higher court, and the legal process must be allowed to run its course. We expect INEC to uphold the law and take full account of the pending proceedings before making any consequential decision.
“To our members, supporters and Nigerians who believe in democracy: remain calm, steadfast and confident. This is not the end of the road. The ADC is taking every lawful step to defend its rights, and we will not be intimidated or distracted from that responsibility. Our commitment to Nigerians and to their right to choose remains firm.
“Our campaigns continue without interruption. There is no stopping the affordability train or our mission to make life better for Nigerians. We will keep taking our message to the people as we pursue every lawful avenue to defend our rights.
“We are confident that the facts and the law will receive a full hearing. The ADC will continue to pursue this matter through the courts and stand for a democratic process in which every party and every voter is treated fairly,” Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication, ADC Presidential Campaign Council, said in a statement.
What You Should Know
The African Democratic Congress is pushing back against a recent court ruling by taking the case to a higher court and demanding that electoral authorities hold off on any hasty decisions.
- Positive Impact: Ensures that legal due process is fully exhausted, giving parties a fair chance to defend their positions in court before permanent actions are taken.
- Potential Concerns: Ongoing legal battles involving major political parties and electoral bodies can create political uncertainty and distract from core governance or campaign issues.
