Appeal Court Bars INEC From Recognising Mark-Led ADC Congresses

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld an order stopping INEC from recognising state congresses organised by the David Mark-led caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress.

In a majority decision delivered on Monday, the appellate court affirmed an earlier Federal High Court ruling that recognised elected ADC state executives as the officials entitled to conduct state congresses. The decision blocks INEC from acting on congresses organised by committees appointed by the party's national caretaker leadership.

The case was filed by ADC state chairmen who argued that the David Mark-led leadership had no constitutional power to organise state congresses while elected state executives were still in office.

Vanguard reported that the three-member panel split two-to-one. Justice Okon Abang delivered the lead judgment, while Justice Donatus Okorowo agreed. Justice Abba Mohammed dissented, holding that the dispute was an internal party matter.

Daily Post reported that the court also rejected the appeal filed by David Mark and ADC National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, who had asked the appellate court to set aside the lower court's ruling.

The judgment adds another legal complication to the ADC leadership crisis ahead of the 2027 elections.

Sources: Vanguard, Daily Post