Court Upholds Ruling Against Mark-led ADC Caretaker Committee

The Court of Appeal in Abuja upheld a Federal High Court judgment that restrains the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing the caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by Senator David Mark. The ruling, delivered on April 29, 2026, by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, affirmed the lower court's decision that the caretaker committee lacked the authority to conduct state congresses.

The court dismissed the appeal filed by the Mark-led committee, emphasizing that the tenure of the party's state executive committee remains valid until proper congresses are conducted in accordance with the party's constitution. The judgment also awarded N10 million in costs against the ADC.

The court noted that while it generally refrains from intervening in the internal affairs of political parties, it would do so in cases involving constitutional violations. Dissenting opinions were expressed by Justice Abba Mohammed, who argued that the matter involved internal party affairs and should not be subject to judicial intervention.