The legal battle over the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) took a fresh turn on Monday as the Court of Appeal affirmed an order preventing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising state congresses organised by the David Mark-led leadership of the party.
The judgment, delivered by a three-member panel of the appellate court in Abuja, upheld an earlier ruling of the Federal High Court that barred the electoral commission from participating in or recognising any state congresses conducted under the current ADC leadership.
In the split decision, two justices agreed that the order issued by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on April 29, 2026, should remain in force, while one justice dissented.
The ruling is the latest judicial setback for the David Mark-led faction and further complicates the party’s internal leadership crisis ahead of future political activities.
By sustaining the lower court’s order, the Court of Appeal effectively maintained the restriction on INEC, meaning the electoral body cannot recognise or take part in any state congresses organised by the Mark-led leadership unless the decision is overturned by a higher court.
The judgment is expected to have significant implications for the party’s ongoing reorganisation efforts as the leadership dispute continues to play out in the courts.