A Federal High Court in Abuja has stopped 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).
Politics Nigeria reports that the ruling was delivered on Wednesday by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
The court made it clear that the conduct of state congresses is the responsibility of the party’s state executive structures, not the national leadership.
In her decision, the judge held that the existing State Working Committees and State Executive Committees of the ADC still have a valid four-year mandate. She said their tenure remains in force until properly conducted congresses are held and a national convention is convened.
The court also ruled that the caretaker or interim National Working Committee, led by David Mark, has no legal backing to set up committees to conduct state congresses. Justice Abdulmalik stated that neither the Nigerian Constitution nor the party’s constitution gives such powers to the interim leadership.
The case followed a suit filed by Don Norman Obinna, Johnny Tovie Derek, Obah C. Ehigiator, Hon. Olona Yinka, Dr. Charles Idowu Omideji, Samuel Pam Gyang, and Obianyo Patrick. They approached the court on behalf of themselves and other state party leaders across the country.
The plaintiffs argued that the Mark-led leadership acted outside its powers by appointing a congress committee. They maintained that any congress conducted under such arrangement would violate the party’s constitution.
Those listed as defendants in the suit include the ADC, David Mark, Patricia Akwashiki, Bolaji Abdullahi, Rauf Aregbesola, Oserheimen Osunbor, and INEC. The defendants were sued in connection with their roles in the caretaker structure.
The plaintiffs also challenged the planned April 2026 state congresses. They insisted that allowing the caretaker committee to supervise such exercise would undermine internal party democracy and due process.
With this ruling, INEC has now been restrained from recognising any outcome from congresses conducted by committees linked to the caretaker leadership. The judgment is expected to affect ongoing political arrangements within the party ahead of future elections.
Further details are expected as parties review the implications of the court’s decision.