APPEAL COURT RESTRAINS INEC FROM RECOGNISING ADC CONGRESSES CONDUCTED BY DAVID MARK-LED CARETAKER LEADERSHIP

Appeal Court Restrains INEC from Recognising ADC Congresses Conducted by David Mark-Led Caretaker Leadership

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld an earlier judgment restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or participating in state congresses conducted by committees appointed by the David Mark-led caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

In a split 2-1 decision delivered on Monday, the appellate court affirmed the ruling of the Federal High Court, holding that the authority to conduct state congresses rests with the party's duly elected state executive committees and not with the national caretaker leadership.

The majority judgment further held that the congresses and national convention conducted by the Mark-led caretaker committee were carried out in violation of an existing court order and are therefore null and void. The court also awarded ₦10 million in costs against the ADC.

However, one member of the three-man panel dissented, arguing that the matter constituted an internal affair of the political party and should not have been decided by the court.

The ruling marks another significant development in the ongoing leadership dispute within the ADC and could have implications for the party's internal reorganisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Southern Report will continue to monitor the case and provide updates as events unfold.