Court Stops INEC, Bars David Mark in ADC Leadership Tussle

Federal High Court stops INEC from recognizing congresses by the ADC caretaker committee, upholding elected executives.

Court gavel and Nigerian flag representing the ruling on ADC leadership dispute.

The leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress has taken a decisive turn. A Federal High Court in Abuja has stepped in to halt the activities of a disputed caretaker committee.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik delivered the ruling on Wednesday. She restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognizing any congress organized by this interim leadership. This effectively puts a hold on any attempt to change the current party structure from the top.

The court also specifically barred former Senate President David Mark and other senior party figures from interfering. They have been told to stay away from the duties and tenure of the elected state executives. This ruling is a big win for the state chairmen who have been fighting to keep their positions.

The case was brought by Norman Obinna and other state chairmen. They argued that the caretaker body had no legal right to organize congresses or appoint committees. Their stance was that only duly elected party organs have such powers under the constitution.

Justice Abdulmalik agreed with the plaintiffs. She noted that the arguments were solid and deserved the court's attention. The judge emphasized that political parties must follow democratic principles as required by the 1999 Constitution and the ADC's own rules.

The defendants had tried to argue that this was an internal party matter. They claimed the court had no jurisdiction. However, the judge dismissed this objection. She stated clearly that when there is an allegation of a constitutional breach, the court has a duty to intervene.

Consequently, the court nullified the appointment of the "congress committee" set up by the caretaker group. The tenure of the current state executive committees remains valid. INEC is now forbidden from monitoring or recognizing any congresses arranged by the opposing faction.