The Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled against the recognition of congresses conducted by a faction of the African Democratic Congress led by David Mark.
In a landmark judgment, the court directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to refrain from participating in or acknowledging any congress organised by the disputed leadership.
Delivering the judgment, Joyce Abdulmalik affirmed that only duly elected state executive committees of the party have the constitutional authority to organise state congresses.
The court emphasised that the tenure of ADC’s state leadership remains valid and cannot be overridden by any interim or caretaker body.
Justice Abdulmalik ruled that the party’s interim national leadership does not have the power to appoint committees or conduct congresses at the state level.
She noted that both Nigeria’s constitution and the party’s internal rules clearly define the roles and limits of party structures.
The case was initiated by aggrieved ADC state officials, led by Norman Obinna and others, who challenged the legality of actions taken by the Mark-led faction.
The plaintiffs argued that the caretaker leadership violated party rules by attempting to organise parallel congresses and appoint committees without constitutional backing.
In its defence, the Mark faction argued that the matter was an internal party issue and should not be subject to judicial review.
However, the court rejected this position, stating that it has jurisdiction where constitutional breaches are alleged.
The judge clarified that political parties must operate within the law, and courts can intervene when those rules are violated.
The court issued several binding directives:
* INEC must not recognise congresses organised by the disputed leadership
* The caretaker committee cannot organise state congresses
* Elected state executives must complete their tenure
* Any actions undermining party structures are prohibited
The ruling is expected to significantly impact internal power dynamics within the ADC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
It reinforces the importance of constitutional compliance and internal democracy within political parties.
