𝗔𝗗𝗖 𝗢𝗻 "𝗔 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗽" 𝗔𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗖, 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸-𝗟𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽

𝗕𝗬 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗧𝗔 𝗩𝗢𝗜𝗖𝗘,

𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐭𝐚, 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚.

The leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has intensified following a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja that upheld the stance of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the party’s disputed leadership structure.

Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik restrained INEC from recognising or participating in any congresses organised by committees constituted by the caretaker leadership reportedly headed by former Senate President, David Mark.

The court ruled that the authority to conduct state congresses rests with the party’s duly elected state executive committees, not a caretaker national body. It further emphasised that the tenure of existing state executives remains valid.

In addition, the court barred the Mark-led faction from interfering in the activities and tenure of recognised state party officials, a move seen as further weakening the faction’s influence within the ADC.

The ruling comes amid a prolonged internal dispute that has fractured the party into multiple factions, each claiming legitimacy following controversial congresses and leadership arrangements.

INEC had earlier withdrawn recognition of the Mark-led executive and refused to monitor its activities, citing a subsisting court order mandating all parties to maintain the status quo pending the resolution of the case.

The commission’s decision sparked mixed reactions among party members, with the Mark faction accusing INEC of bias, while rival groups insist the electoral body acted within the law.

Analysts warn that the ongoing legal battles could hamper the party’s stability and preparedness ahead of future elections, as uncertainty continues to cloud its leadership structure.

Attention is now focused on possible appeals, which are expected to play a decisive role in determining the party’s legitimate leadership as the 2027 general elections approach.