By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
Court Halts INEC Recognition of David Mark-Led ADC Congresses Across Nigeria
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has stopped the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising any state congresses organised by committees appointed by the caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by former Senate President David Mark.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, who delivered the ruling on Wednesday, declared that only the party’s duly elected state executive committees have the authority to conduct state congresses.
The court also affirmed that the tenure of ADC’s State Working Committees and State Executive Committees remains valid and intact until properly constituted congresses are held and a national convention is convened.
According to the court, neither the Nigerian Constitution nor the ADC’s constitution gives the David Mark-led caretaker committee the legal backing to appoint committees for state congresses.
The case was brought before the court by Don Norman Obinna, Johnny Tovie Derek, Obah C. Ehigiator, Hon. Olona Yinka, Dr. Charles Idowu Omideji, Samuel Pam Gyang, and Obianyo Patrick, who sued on behalf of ADC state chairmen and state executive committee members nationwide.
The ruling marks a major twist in the leadership crisis rocking the ADC, coming amid internal restructuring efforts under David Mark’s caretaker leadership as the party seeks to strengthen its position in Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of future elections.
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