Appeal Court Bans INEC from Recognizing ADC Congresses

The Appeal Court affirmed a Federal High Court ruling that restrains the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing the state congresses organized by the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The decision, delivered by Justice Okon Abang, supported by Justice Donatus Okorowo, confirmed the earlier verdict by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, which was issued on April 29.

The trial court had ruled that the Mark-led leadership wrongfully dissolved state leadership and set up a caretaker committee to conduct congresses, violating the ADC's constitution. The court emphasized that the power to conduct congresses belongs to the state executives whose tenure had not expired.

The Appeal Court awarded N10 million in costs to the seven aggrieved state chairmen who challenged the dissolution. The court also noted that the congresses conducted under the Mark leadership violated a court order, thus nullifying them.