The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has formally appealed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), urging a swift judgment in the case of David Mark vs Nafiu Bala. The party warns that continued delay could lead to its exclusion from the 2027 general elections, affecting millions of Nigerians.
Plea for Timely Delivery of Judgment
ADC counsel submitted a written plea highlighting the urgent need for a ruling. The appeal was heard on April 22, 2026, and judgment reserved, but the delay creates uncertainty for the party's leadership and its ability to meet statutory election requirements.
The plea states: “A PASSIONATE PLEA FOR THE TIMELY DELIVERY OF THE JUDGMENT IN THE ABOVE MENTIONED APPEAL TO FORESTALL THE IMPENDING IRREPARABLE HARM TO CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT OF AFRICAN DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS (ADC) TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 2027 GENERAL ELECTIONS.”
INEC’s Role and Electoral Timetable
The ADC noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), acting on a lower court judgment, removed or de-recognized the party’s leadership. This left the ADC without leadership despite remaining a registered political party. INEC has already released its timetable for the 2027 elections, with preparatory activities underway. The ADC’s ability to comply depends entirely on the timely judgment.
Risk of Exclusion from 2027 Elections
The plea warned that without judgment within three days, the ADC faces a “grave and irreversible risk” of exclusion from the 2027 elections. Such exclusion would disenfranchise millions of Nigerians who support the party’s ideals and deny them their constitutional right to freely associate and contest elections.
Justice Delayed is Justice Denied
Acknowledging the court’s workload, the counsel stressed that in this case, “justice delayed… would amount to justice denied.” They concluded by urging the Chief Justice to intervene, noting that the political future of the ADC and the expectations of its members nationwide hang in the balance.
Full Text of the Plea
The written plea reads in part: “We are Counsel to the African Democratic Congress, ADC, the 2nd Respondent in the above mentioned Appeal. My Lord, this appeal was graciously heard expeditiously on the 22nd April, 2026 and judgment was thereafter reserved to a date to be communicated by the court.
However, My Lord, we are most respectfully constrained to request for my Lord's kind intervention and directive in ensuring that the judgment is rendered timeously having regard that INEC the 4th Respondent in the said appeal purportedly, acting pursuant to the judgment of the lower court in Appeal No: CA/ABJ/145/2026 acted to remove or de-recognize the leadership of the African Democratic Congress, ADC leaving the ADC without leadership at the moment even though the ADC remains a recognized registered political party in Nigeria.
My Lord, we also respectfully draw Your Lordship's attention to the INEC Timetable for the 2027 General Elections and the activities in readiness which have already Commenced. Your Lordship's would find attached copies of the INEC Press Release the 2027 General Elections. My Lord, the ADC's ability to comply with these statutory requirements to de-recognizing the leadership of ADC and the Revised INEC Timetable for participate in the 2027 General Elections is wholly dependent on the timely delivery of the judgment in the instant Appeal.
Without the delivery of judgment within the next three days from the date of this letter, the ADC stands the grave and irreversible risk of being excluded from participating in the 2027 General Elections. This would disenfranchise millions of Nigerians who have subscribed to the ideals of the ADC and deny them their constitutional right to freely associate and contest elections through a political party of their choice.
My Lord, we are mindful of the enormous responsibilities and workload of this Honourable Court. We are equally aware that justice delayed, in this peculiar circumstances, would amount to justice denied. The entire political future of our client and the legitimate expectations of its members nationwide now hangs in the balance. We thank Your Lordships as we look forward for Your Lordships kind intervention.”
Background: Gbajabiamila’s Comments on ADC Crisis
Legit.ng earlier reported that in a statement issued on Friday and signed by its National President, Gideon Unazi, a group hailed Gbajabiamila over his comments on the ADC crisis, describing the remarks as a reflection of partisan engagement within the context of political competition.
