Federal High Court bars INEC from ADC congresses
Court rules state executives, not caretaker panel, control party congresses
Verdict weakens caretaker leadership led by David Mark
A Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or participating in any state congresses organised by committees set up by the caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ruled that the authority to conduct state congresses lies strictly with the party’s state executive committees, not the national leadership.
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The court further declared that the four-year tenure of the ADC’s State Working Committees and State Executive Committees remains valid and subsisting until properly conducted congresses and a national convention are held.
In a decisive pronouncement, the judge held that neither the Constitution of Nigeria nor that of the party empowers the caretaker National Working Committee led by David Mark to appoint committees for the purpose of conducting state congresses.
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The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/581/2026, was instituted by several party stakeholders, including Don Norman Obinna and others, acting on behalf of ADC state chairmen and executive committees nationwide.
The plaintiffs challenged the legality of the caretaker leadership’s actions, arguing that any congress conducted under its supervision would amount to a violation of the party’s constitution.
Those listed as defendants include the African Democratic Congress, David Mark, Senator Patricia Akwashiki, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Professor Oserheimen Osunbor, and INEC.
The ruling is expected to intensify the internal crisis within the ADC, raising fresh concerns over the legitimacy of its leadership structure and preparations ahead of future elections.
