Court Bars INEC From Recognising ADC Caretaker Congresses, Restrains David Mark, Others
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has issued an order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or supervising any congresses conducted by the caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The court also restrained former Senate President, David Mark, and other members of the party’s interim leadership from taking steps capable of interfering with the tenure of duly elected state executive committees of the party.
Delivering the ruling on Wednesday, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik held that the caretaker leadership of the ADC lacks the constitutional authority to organise state congresses or alter existing party structures.
The court further ruled that all elected state executives of the party should remain in office pending the determination of the substantive suit before it.
The case was instituted by some aggrieved members of the ADC who challenged the legality of the caretaker arrangement, arguing that it was inconsistent with the party’s constitution and internal democratic processes.
Parties in the suit include the African Democratic Congress (ADC), INEC, the David Mark-led caretaker committee, and other party stakeholders.
The ruling effectively halts any ongoing or planned congress activities by the caretaker leadership and reinforces the authority of existing state executives until the matter is fully resolved.
The ADC has recently been embroiled in internal leadership disputes following attempts at restructuring and control of party organs ahead of future elections.
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