The Nafiu Bala faction of the African Democratic Congress has asked the David Mark-led leadership to halt the sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms pending the determination of a suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The development came as the Federal High Court in Abuja adjourned indefinitely the leadership suit filed by Bala after the plaintiff applied for the transfer of the case to another judge.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, May 8, 2026 the Secretary of the ADC Board of Trustees, Rufus Akanmi, said the need to stop the sale of the forms formed part of resolutions reached at the party’s BoT meeting held on Thursday.
He warned that anyone proceeding with the purchase of nomination forms despite the directive would be doing so at their own risk.
Akanmi said, “All parties concerned are directed to immediately suspend the sale/purchase of such forms pending the final determination of the matter presently before the Federal High Court.
“It is expressly stated that any person who proceeds to purchase the said forms does so at their own risk, and the African Democratic Congress shall not accept any liability or responsibility for consequences arising therefrom,” he said.
The faction also commended the Supreme Court for its April 30, 2026 judgment, describing the verdict as a landmark contribution to constitutional democracy and the rule of law within Nigeria’s political system.
Akanmi urged members of the coalition within the party and the Mark’s faction to set aside partisan interests and collaborate with the Gombe-led leadership in the interest of party unity.
According to him, such cooperation was necessary to guarantee the party’s effective participation in the forthcoming general elections and ensure the emergence of credible candidates for elective offices at the state, local government and ward levels.
“The Board hereby directs the National Working Committee to constitute Caretaker Committees in all states where the tenure of the current State Executive Committees has expired, to ensure continuity and stability in party administration at the grassroots level.
“We further direct the National Working Committee to immediately initiate processes for the convening of a Mini National Convention, for the purpose of filling all vacant positions arising from the recent resignation of certain members of the NWC, in accordance with the Constitution of the party,” he added.
Meanwhile, proceedings in the substantive leadership suit suffered another setback on Friday after Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja adjourned the matter indefinitely.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, had earlier been stalled following an interlocutory appeal filed by David Mark, which eventually went to the Supreme Court.
At Friday’s proceedings, counsel for the plaintiff, Luka Musa Haruna, informed the court that the Supreme Court on April 30 dismissed the interlocutory appeal for lacking merit and set aside the Court of Appeal’s order staying proceedings in the substantive suit.
