Appeal Court Bars INEC from Recognizing Mark-led ADC Congresses

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has issued a ruling preventing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing the state congresses organized by the caretaker committee led by Senator David Mark of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). This decision follows a split judgment from a three-member panel, with two justices upholding a restraining order initially issued by the Federal High Court on April 29, 2006.

Justice Okon Abang stated that the conduct of state congresses must adhere to the party's constitution, and the ADC violated its own rules by appointing a caretaker committee while the tenures of state chairmen were still active. The court ruled that the actions taken by the Mark-led committee were unlawful and void.

Justice Abba Mohammed dissented, arguing that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter. Following the ruling, ADC's national secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, expressed the party's intention to appeal the judgment, emphasizing the need for party members to remain calm and focused.