Court Bars INEC from Recognising David Mark-Led ADC Congresses
The Federal High Court in Abuja has barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or participating in any congresses organised by the Senator David Mark-led caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a judgment delivered this Wednesday, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ruled that the responsibility for conducting state congresses lies with the elected state executive committees, not the national caretaker leadership.
The court held that the four-year tenure of the current ADC state executives remains valid and protected from interference by the interim national committee.
Justice Abdulmalik noted that while courts typically avoid the internal affairs of political parties, judicial intervention is necessary when party or national constitutional provisions are clearly violated.
This ruling effectively nullifies any congress committees or appointments previously made by the David Mark-led group for the purpose of reorganising the party’s state structures ahead of the 2027 elections.
