David Mark-led ADC congresses invalid, Court of Appeal rules

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising state congresses organised by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) leadership led by David Mark. The ruling upholds a Federal High Court decision that declared the ADC's elected State Working Committees as the legitimate authorities to conduct party affairs at the state level. Justice Okon Abang, delivering the lead judgment, stated that the trial court's decision to grant relief to the seven ADC state chairmen was valid. He affirmed that the state chairmen's four-year tenure, as outlined in the party's constitution, remains in force.

The case was brought by seven ADC state chairmen who claimed the David Mark-led interim leadership lacked the authority to convene congresses or appoint committees during their tenure. They argued that only duly constituted state executive committees had the power to organise such events. The plaintiffs requested the court to declare that INEC should not recognise any congress conducted by the interim leadership.

Earlier, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court had ruled that the ADC's elected State Working Committees are the recognised officials of the party. She held that the National Working Committee does not have constitutional power under the party's guidelines to oversee state-level congresses. The Court of Appeal's decision reinforces that position, affirming the autonomy of state chapters in party governance.

David Mark, the party's interim national leader, was not present at the ruling. The judgment prohibits INEC from engaging with any congresses convened by his faction until the tenure of the current state executives expires.

Editorial note: AI-assisted opinion. All persons mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Full disclaimer →