By Ayodele Oni
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) from recognising or participating in any congress organised by a disputed caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress.
In a judgment delivered on Wednesday, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik also barred former Senate President, David Mark, and other party figures from interfering with the functions and tenure of duly elected state executives.
In suit FHC/ABJ/CS/581/2026, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik held that only existing state executive committees of the ADC are constitutionally empowered to conduct state congresses, describing the caretaker arrangement as lacking legal authority to impose parallel structures.
Justice Abdulmalik further affirmed that the tenure of current State Working and Executive Committees remains valid and subsisting until properly conducted congresses and a national convention are held in line with the party’s constitution.
The ruling also involved key figures in the caretaker coalition, including former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who have been central to efforts to restructure the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The decision effectively halts all ongoing or planned state congresses under the caretaker leadership and directs all parties to maintain the status quo, pending further proceedings.
The ADC has remained embroiled in internal divisions over control of its structure since emerging as a coalition platform for opposition realignment ahead of the next general election cycle.
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