By Emma Ombugadu, Abuja
A Federal High Court in Abuja has barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or taking part 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 only the party’s state executive committees are empowered to conduct state congresses, not the national leadership.
The court also 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 further held that neither the Constitution of Nigeria nor that of the ADC authorises the caretaker or interim National Working Committee, led by former Senate President David Mark, to appoint committees to oversee state congresses.
The ruling followed a 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 on behalf of ADC state chairmen and executive committees.
The defendants in the case include the ADC, David Mark, Sen. Patricia Akwashiki, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor—sued on behalf of the party’s caretaker committee—and INEC.
The plaintiffs had challenged the legitimacy of committees set up by the Mark-led leadership to conduct state congresses, arguing that any such exercise would violate the party’s constitution.
