A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or participating in any state congresses conducted by committees appointed by the caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ruled that the authority to conduct state congresses lies with the party’s state executive committees, not its national leadership.
The court further held that the four-year tenure of the ADC’s State Working Committees and State Executive Committees remains valid and subsisting pending the conduct of duly constituted congresses and the convening of a national convention.
Justice Abdulmalik also declared that neither the Constitution of Nigeria nor that of the ADC empowers the caretaker or interim National Working Committee, led by David Mark, to appoint committees for the purpose of conducting state congresses.
The judgment followed a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/581/2026, filed by a group of plaintiffs including Don Norman Obinna, Johnny Tovie Derek, Obah C. Ehigiator, Hon. Olona Yinka, Dr. Charles Idowu Omideji, Samuel Pam Gyang, and Obianyo Patrick. The plaintiffs sued on behalf of themselves and all state chairmen and state executive committees of the ADC.
Named as defendants in the suit are the ADC; David Mark; Patricia Akwashiki; Bolaji Abdullahi; Rauf Aregbesola; Oserheimen Osunbor, sued on behalf of the caretaker/interim National Working Committee; and INEC.
The plaintiffs had challenged the legality of committees set up by the Mark-led caretaker leadership to conduct state congresses, arguing that such actions violated the party’s constitution. They also opposed the planned April 2026 congresses under the caretaker committee, describing them as unlawful.
Further details are expected.
