The Zamfara State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has maintained that the judgment delivered by the Federal High Court on April 29, 2026, remains valid, subsisting and binding on all parties, dismissing what it described as misleading narratives surrounding the court’s decision and the party’s leadership in the state.
The party said no individual, group or political interest could lawfully set aside or disregard the judgment except through the constitutionally recognised appellate process, stressing that compliance with court orders remains a fundamental principle of the rule of law.

The position was contained in a statement issued by the State Publicity Secretary of the party, Comrade Abdulkareem Umar, and made available to journalists in Gusau.
According to the statement, Senator David Mark has appealed the Federal High Court judgment and also filed an application for a stay of execution pending the determination of the appeal.
However, the party said information available to it indicates that the application for stay of execution was not granted, while the Court of Appeal has fixed the substantive appeal for hearing.

It noted that, until the appellate court delivers its judgment, the Federal High Court’s decision remains in force.
“The Federal High Court judgment remains valid, subsisting and binding on all parties unless and until it is set aside by a competent appellate court. No individual, group or political interest can lawfully vacate, nullify or disregard the judgment except through the legally recognised appeal process. Court orders must be obeyed while they remain in force,” the statement said.
The party further explained that under Nigerian law, a dissatisfied litigant has only one right of appeal against a judgment, while applications such as a stay of execution are merely ancillary proceedings.

It warned that filing multiple appeals against the same judgment could amount to an abuse of court process and may be struck out or consolidated by the court, urging party members and the public to distinguish between a substantive appeal and ancillary applications.
On the controversy surrounding the party’s leadership, the ADC insisted that a valid state congress was conducted in accordance with its constitution, resulting in the election of Alhaji Kabiru Garba Gusau and other members of the State Executive Committee for a fresh tenure expected to run until April 12, 2031.
The statement maintained that the current executive derives its authority from a duly conducted congress and not from a caretaker arrangement.

“It is important to distinguish between an elected executive, whose mandate originates from party congresses and constitutional processes, and a caretaker committee, which is appointed on a temporary basis and does not enjoy the same constitutional mandate as elected officials,” it stated.
The party added that the status and tenure of any executive could only be determined through congress records, the party constitution, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) monitoring reports and other official documents.
The ADC also stated that the Federal High Court judgment addressed issues relating to the authority and legitimacy of those empowered to conduct the party’s congresses and primary elections, maintaining that such authority must emanate from structures recognised under the party’s constitution and relevant INEC records.

According to the statement, the precise scope and legal implications of the judgment can only be established through the Certified True Copy of the court’s decision and other official court records.
Reaffirming its commitment to the rule of law, the party stressed that no individual is above the law, the party constitution or valid court orders, warning that actions taken in defiance of subsisting judicial orders undermine democratic institutions and internal party democracy.
It urged members, aspirants and stakeholders to channel grievances through lawful party mechanisms instead of taking parallel actions capable of creating confusion within the party.

The ADC also advised members to verify information through Certified True Copies of court judgments, INEC records, congress reports and official party communications, rather than relying on unverified claims.
It further urged stakeholders to ensure that all congresses and primary elections comply with the party’s constitution, INEC guidelines and applicable court orders, while avoiding the spread of misinformation capable of misleading party members and the public.
The party reiterated its commitment to due process, internal democracy, party supremacy and the rule of law, calling on members and aspirants to conduct themselves in a manner that promotes unity, discipline and the collective progress of the party.