Court Bars INEC from Recognising Mark-led ADC Congresses

The Court of Appeal has restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising congresses conducted by the Mark-led faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The ruling, delivered in Abuja, followed a leadership dispute within the party. The court held that INEC must desist from acknowledging congresses organised by the faction loyal to Ralph Nwosu’s former associates, led by Senator Patricia Akwashiki and Chief Kingsley Mark.

The panel of justices emphasised that INEC’s recognition of such congresses would amount to validating an unlawful process. The court noted that the faction lacked the authority to convene congresses, as the party’s constitution vests such powers in its National Executive Committee (NEC).

The judgment came after the ADC national leadership challenged INEC’s acceptance of documents submitted by the Mark-led group. The party argued that the faction had no legal standing to conduct congresses or submit names of candidates.

Delivering the ruling, the appellate court declared that INEC must respect the internal structures of political parties and avoid interference in leadership disputes. The court stressed that only congresses conducted by the legitimate leadership of the ADC could be recognised.

The decision effectively nullifies the parallel congresses held by the Mark-led faction. It also reinforces the authority of the party’s recognised leadership to oversee internal processes, including congresses and primaries.

The ruling is expected to bring clarity to the ADC’s leadership crisis, which has lingered since 2022. The dispute had created divisions within the party, with rival factions holding separate congresses and submitting conflicting lists of candidates to INEC.

Legal analysts say the judgment underscores the judiciary’s role in resolving intra-party conflicts. They note that the ruling affirms the principle that INEC cannot take sides in leadership disputes but must act in line with the law and party constitutions.

Party members loyal to the recognised leadership welcomed the judgment, describing it as a victory for internal democracy. They urged all factions to respect the court’s decision and work towards unity ahead of future elections.

The Mark-led faction, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling, insisting that it had acted within its rights. Its leaders hinted at seeking further legal remedies, though the Appeal Court’s decision remains binding unless overturned by the Supreme Court.

Observers believe the ruling will strengthen INEC’s position in handling similar disputes across political parties. It sets a precedent that the commission must avoid recognising parallel congresses unless backed by legitimate party organs.

The ADC leadership crisis mirrors challenges faced by several Nigerian political parties, where internal disputes often spill into the courts. Analysts argue that such conflicts weaken party structures and distract from their role in democratic governance.

With this ruling, the ADC is expected to consolidate its leadership and prepare for upcoming political activities. The judgment also signals to other parties that internal disputes must be resolved within constitutional frameworks rather than through factional congresses.