BREAKING: Appeal Court Stops INEC From Recognising Mark-Led ADC Congresses

The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, Monday affirmed the judgment restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or participating in any state congresses organised by committees appointed by the Senator David Mark-led caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Justice Okon Abang, in the lead judgment of the court said it found no reason to set aside the restraining order the Federal High Court in Abuja had issued against the Mark-led ADC on April 29.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had restrained the Mark-led executives from interfering with the tenure and functions of the party’s elected state executives.

The appeal court agreed that responsibility for organisms ng and conducting state congresses of  political parties rests with elected state executive committees, not with the national leadership.

While Justices Abang and Donatus Okorowo gave the majority verdict barring the INEC from acknowledging the outcome of congresses held by the Mark-led leadership of the ADC, the head of the appellate court’s panel, Justice Abba Mohammed, gave a dissenting judgment.