A Federal High Court 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 held that the responsibility for conducting state congresses lies with the party’s state executive committees, not the national leadership.
The court further ruled that the four-year tenure of the ADC’s State Working Committees and State Executive Committees remains valid and subsisting, pending the conduct of properly constituted congresses and a national convention.
Justice Abdulmalik also stated that neither the Nigerian Constitution nor the ADC constitution empowers the caretaker/interim National Working Committee, led by David Mark, to appoint committees for state congresses.
The ruling followed a suit filed by seven ADC members who challenged the legality of congress arrangements being planned under the caretaker leadership.
The plaintiffs argued that such actions would violate the party’s constitution and undermine existing state executive structures.
Listed as defendants in the case are the ADC, David Mark, other members of the caretaker committee, and INEC.
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