TDThe Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a judgment restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising any state congresses conducted by committees appointed by the David Mark-led caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik declared that the responsibility for conducting state congresses lies squarely with the party’s state executive committees, not the national caretaker leadership.
The court further affirmed that the four-year tenure of the ADC’s State Working Committees and State Executive Committees remains valid and subsisting until properly constituted congresses are held and a national convention is convened.
Justice Abdulmalik stressed that neither the Nigerian Constitution nor the ADC constitution empowers the caretaker/interim National Working Committee, led by David Mark, to appoint committees to oversee state congresses.
The ruling came in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/581/2026, filed by Don Norman Obinna, Johnny Tovie Derek, Obah C. Ehigiator, Hon. Olona Yinka, Dr. Charles Idowu Omideji, Samuel Pam Gyang, and Obianyo Patrick.
Theye had sued on behalf of all State Chairmen and State Executive Committees of the ADC.
This judgment is expected to reshape the internal power dynamics of the ADC and could have significant implications for its political strategy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
More details will follow…
