Appeal Court Upholds Restriction on INEC Over Opposition Party Congresses
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has reaffirmed a lower court ruling preventing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or participating in state congresses organised by a caretaker leadership faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a split decision, the majority of the three-member panel upheld the earlier judgment of the Federal High Court, which barred the caretaker committee led by former Senate President David Mark from interfering with the activities of the party’s elected state executives. The appellate court found no sufficient grounds to overturn the ruling.
The court also agreed that the responsibility for conducting state congresses rests with duly elected state party structures, rather than with a national caretaker body. As a result, any congresses conducted under the disputed leadership are not to be acknowledged by the electoral commission.
One member of the panel dissented, arguing that the dispute concerns internal party matters and falls outside the jurisdiction of the courts.
The initial High Court decision had maintained that the tenure of the ADC’s state executives remains valid until new congresses are properly conducted and a national convention is held.
The outcome of the appeal could have political implications, particularly for individuals who emerged from processes conducted by the caretaker leadership in preparation for the 2027 general elections.
