Court Bars INEC from Recognising ADC Congresses

A Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising or participating in state congresses organised by a caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress. The ruling was delivered on Wednesday by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.

The court held that the tenure of the party’s state working committees and executive committees remains valid pending properly conducted congresses and a national convention. It ruled that the caretaker leadership, led by former Senate President David Mark, lacks the authority to organise such congresses.

Justice Abdulmalik said responsibility for conducting state congresses lies with the party’s state executive committees, not the national leadership. She also restrained the caretaker committee from interfering with the functions of elected state officials.

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The case was filed by aggrieved party members, who argued that the caretaker body acted outside its constitutional powers. The court affirmed that it has jurisdiction to intervene where party constitutions are breached.