The Federal High Court in Abuja has barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or participating in any state congresses organised by a disputed caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The court also restrained a faction associated with former Senate President David Mark from taking steps that could undermine the authority of duly elected state executives of the party.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik delivered the ruling in a suit filed by Norman Obinna and six other ADC members, who said they were representing state chairmen and executive committees nationwide.
The plaintiffs challenged the legality of the caretaker national leadership, arguing it lacked constitutional backing to conduct congresses or appoint committees in states where elected executives remain in office. They urged the court to safeguard the tenure of existing officials and halt parallel arrangements.
In her judgment, Justice Abdulmalik held that both the Nigerian Constitution and the ADC constitution require political parties to adhere to democratic processes in leadership selection. She emphasised that elected officials must serve out their tenure and that only recognised state executives are authorised to conduct congresses.
The court dismissed claims by the defendants that the dispute was purely an internal party matter, noting that alleged constitutional breaches fall within its jurisdiction.
Consequently, the judge prohibited INEC from recognising any congress conducted by the caretaker group and barred David Mark and others from organising or supervising party congresses or conventions outside the approved structure. She also ordered that no actions should disrupt the operations of existing state executive committees.
Defendants in the suit include the ADC, Patricia Akwashiki, Bolaji Abdullahi, Rauf Aregbesola, Oserheimen Osunbor, and INEC.
The defendants had sought dismissal of the case, arguing it concerned internal party affairs and that the plaintiffs lacked legal standing, but the court rejected the objections. It also affirmed its jurisdiction, citing INEC’s involvement.
Meanwhile, the ADC leadership crisis remains unresolved, with a related appeal pending before the Supreme Court, which is expected to determine the final outcome of the dispute.