Court bans INEC from recognising ADC congresses conducted by Mark group

ADC leadership dispute court ruling bars INEC from recognising state congresses conducted by David Mark-led caretaker committees in Abuja

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday, 29 April 2026, restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from recognising any state congresses conducted by committees appointed by the David Mark-led caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in a significant ruling affecting the party’s internal structure.

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Delivering judgment, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik held that the authority to conduct state congresses lies with the duly elected state executive committees of the party and not the national caretaker leadership.

Court Ruling Deepens ADC Leadership Dispute Involving INEC recognition ruling further affirmed that the four-year tenure of the party’s State Working Committees and State Executive Committees remains valid and legally binding until properly conducted congresses and a national convention are held.

Justice Abdulmalik ruled that neither the Nigerian Constitution nor the ADC constitution empowers the caretaker or interim National Working Committee, led by former Senate President David Mark, to appoint committees for the purpose of conducting state congresses.

The court’s decision effectively halts attempts by the caretaker leadership to restructure state party organs through appointed committees, reinforcing the autonomy of existing elected structures within the party.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/581/2026, was 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 instituted the suit on their own behalf and on behalf of all State Chairmen and State Executive Committees of the ADC, challenging the legality of the caretaker leadership’s actions.

ADC internal crisis Intensifies as court bars INEC recognition ruling is expected to have wide implications for the party’s internal stability as well as the conduct of future congresses across the country.

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As reactions continue to emerge, attention now turns to how both the caretaker leadership and INEC will respond to the court’s decision in the coming days.

Mariam Balogun