General News
ADC Faction Warns INEC Against Defying Court Judgments
The African Democratic Congress, ADC, State Chairmen’s Forum has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to comply with subsisting court judgments on the party’s leadership dispute ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Chairman of the forum, Ogga Kingsley Temitope, in Abuja.
The statement warns that continued non-compliance could expose the party and its candidates to legal uncertainties.
It says the Federal High Court in Abuja, in a judgment delivered by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on April 29, nullified the congresses and convention that produced the David Mark-led caretaker leadership of the party.
It explains that the court held the processes leading to the emergence of the leadership did not comply with the ADC Constitution and the Electoral Act 2026.
According to him, the Court of Appeal in Abuja, in a two-to-one judgment delivered on July 13, upheld the Federal High Court decision.
The statement argues that the appellate court judgment meant that INEC should not recognise the Mark-led faction as the legitimate leadership of the ADC.
It alleges that INEC had continued to engage with the Mark-led faction despite the court decisions, prompting the court-recognised state chairmen to take legal action against the commission.
According to the statement, the forum chairman warns that candidates emerging from an invalidated leadership structure could face what he described as a “nullity trap” if their nominations were challenged before an election tribunal.
It further explains that victory at the polls might not be enough if the nomination process was later declared invalid because it originated from a leadership structure voided by the courts.
It also cautions stakeholders against relying solely on stays of execution, saying such orders suspend enforcement pending further proceedings but do not automatically overturn the judgment.
The statement urges the Mark-led faction to engage the court-recognised leadership, pursue reconciliation and regularise the party’s internal processes ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to the statement, the ADC chieftain also cites previous instances where INEC had faced contempt proceedings over alleged disobedience of court orders, warning that continued non-compliance could attract sanctions.
It calls on INEC and all factions within the ADC to respect the rule of law and ensure that the party enters the 2027 electoral cycle with a legally recognised leadership.
According to the statement, Ogga expresses hope that the leadership dispute will be resolved in the interest of the party and the democratic process at the next court proceedings scheduled for September 29.