Court Bars INEC from Recognising ADC Congresses Conducted by David Mark

A Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing any state congresses carried out by committees set up by the David Mark-led caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ruled that the authority to conduct state congresses lies with the party’s state executive committees, not the national leadership.

The court also affirmed that the four-year tenure of the ADC’s State Working Committees and State Executive Committees remains valid until properly conducted congresses and a national convention are held.

Justice Abdulmalik further stated that neither the Nigerian Constitution nor the ADC’s internal constitution grants the caretaker or interim National Working Committee, led by David Mark, the power to appoint committees for the purpose of conducting state congresses.

The ruling followed a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/581/2026, filed by several plaintiffs including Don Norman Obinna, Johnny Tovie Derek, Obah C. Ehigiator, Hon. Olona Yinka, Dr. Charles Idowu Omideji, Samuel Pam Gyang, and Obianyo Patrick, who sued on behalf of ADC state chairmen and executive committees.