Abuja Court Bars INEC from ADC Caretaker Congresses

A Federal High Court in Abuja ruled on Wednesday that the Independent National Electoral Commission must not recognize or participate in any state congresses organized by committees appointed by the caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress, headed by former Senate President David Mark.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik delivered the judgment in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/581/2026, filed by 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 all ADC state chairmen and state executive committees, challenging the caretaker committee's authority to conduct state congresses or appoint bodies for that purpose. They argued that their tenures as elected state executives remain valid under the party's constitution and Section 223 of the 1999 Constitution, which requires political parties to hold periodic elections democratically.

The defendants included the ADC, David Mark, Patricia Akwashiki, Bolaji Abdullahi, Rauf Aregbesola, Oserheimen Osunbor, and INEC. They raised preliminary objections, contending the matter involved non-justiciable internal party affairs, that the...