Appeal court affirms judgment barring INEC from recognising ADC state congresses
An Abuja appeal court has upheld a judgment preventing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing state congresses organized by the David Mark-led leadership of the ADC. The court ruled that the caretaker committee lacks the constitutional authority to conduct these congresses.
Why it matters
This ruling impacts the internal governance and legal legitimacy of political party structures in Nigeria, influencing future electoral processes.
The court of appeal in Abuja has affirmed the judgment restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or participating in any state congresses organised by the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a split decision of two versus one, the appeal court on Monday affirmed the judgment delivered by Joyce Abdulmalik, judge at the federal high court in Abuja, on April 29, 2026.
In April 29, Abdulmalik restrained INEC from recognising or participating in any state congresses organised by Mark-led leadership.
The presiding judge held that the four-year tenure of the ADC’s state working committees and state executive committees remains valid and subsisting, pending the conduct of properly constituted congresses and the convocation of a national convention.
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