A Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or participating in any state congresses conducted by committees appointed by the caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik held that the responsibility for conducting state congresses rests with the party’s state executive committees, not the national leadership.

The court further ruled that the four-year tenure of the ADC’s State Working Committees and State Executive Committees remains valid and subsisting, pending the conduct of properly constituted congresses and the convocation of a national convention.

Justice Abdulmalik also held that neither the Constitution of Nigeria nor that of the party empowers the caretaker/interim National Working Committee, led by David Mark, to appoint committees for the purpose of conducting state congresses.

The judgment is on the suit marked: 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 as plaintiffs, suing for themselves and on behalf of all State Chairmen and State Executive Committees of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Listed as defendants in the matter are the African Democratic Congress (ADC); Sen. David Mark; Sen. Patricia Akwashiki; Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi; Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor (sued on behalf of the Caretaker/Interim National Working Committee) and INEC.

The plaintiffs had complained, among others, that the Mark-led leadership of the ADC had constituted a congress committee for the purpose of conducting state congresses.

They challenged the validity of any appointments made by the Mark-led caretaker committee and argued that the planned state congress slated for April 2026, if conducted under the supervision of the said caretaker committee, would constitute a gross violation of the party’s constitution. (The Nation)

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