UYO – The African Democratic Congress (ADC), Akwa Ibom State Chapter, has announced that the Court of Appeal, Abuja Judicial Division, has refused to grant a stay of execution sought by Senator David Mark and members of his purported National Working Committee over the leadership crisis rocking the party.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Barrister Manfred Ekpe, the party said the appellate court’s decision means that the earlier judgment of the Federal High Court delivered on April 29, 2026, remains valid and enforceable.
According to the statement, the Federal High Court had nullified the purported National Convention as well as State, Local Government and Ward Congresses allegedly conducted by the David Mark-led faction, thereby setting aside his claim to the office of National Chairman of the party.
The Akwa Ibom ADC maintained that, by refusing the application for stay of execution, the Court of Appeal has effectively denied legal recognition to Senator David Mark as National Chairman of the party pending the determination of the substantive appeal slated for hearing on June 6, 2026.
The party further declared that any action taken by Senator Mark in the capacity of National Chairman, including the issuance and sale of nomination forms for elective offices ahead of the 2027 general elections, amounts to a nullity.
Giving background to the dispute, the statement explained that, Senator David Mark and some coalition partners defected to the ADC in July 2025 under an arrangement that existing structures of the party across states would remain intact while accommodating new entrants.
It stated that the Akwa Ibom State Chairman of the party, Rt. Hon. Duke Gabriel Dick, had ceded 60 percent of positions in the party’s executive structures at the state, local government and ward levels to the new entrants in the spirit of inclusiveness.
However, the party alleged that the new entrants later undermined existing structures by creating parallel executives in several states, including Akwa Ibom, contrary to the party’s constitution.
The statement also claimed that despite a restraining order granted by the Federal High Court on April 14, 2026, Senator David Mark-led faction proceeded to conduct a National Convention and declared him National Chairman.
ADC Akwa Ibom therefore insisted that the National Working Committee inaugurated in Abuja on May 24, 2026, remains the only lawful leadership body empowered to run the affairs of the party.
The party warned aspirants and members of the public that nomination forms obtained from David Mark-led faction would not be recognised for any elective office, including those of President, Governor, National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly.
Barr. Ekpe reaffirmed the commitment of the Akwa Ibom State Chapter of ADC to the rule of law, internal democracy and the supremacy of the party’s constitution, urging members to remain calm and law-abiding as efforts continue to safeguard the party’s structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
