ADC Crisis: David Mark Approaches Court, Seeks Reversal Of INEC’s Decision

The crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) shows no sign of abating as the David Mark-led leadership of the party has approached a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to reverse the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The electoral umpire removed the names of Mark (national chairman) and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (national secretary) of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) from its official portal and website on April 1.

In the suit, Mark urged Justice Emeka Nwite to grant an order of mandatory injunction setting aside INEC’s refusal to attend or monitor the ADC’s congresses or convention, pending the hearing and determination of the instant suit.

He also sought an order of mandatory injunction directing INEC to forthwith restore and maintain the names of all ADC National Working Committee (NWC) members in its records and portal, prior to the filing of the suit and pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

The motion on notice, dated and filed on April 7, was filed by Sulaiman Usman, SAN, counsel to Mark.

The former Senate President filed the motion following the March 12 Court of Appeal judgement in a suit instituted by Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe before Justice Nwite.

The motion, which sought three reliefs, was brought pursuant to Order 26, Rules 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019.

The reliefs sought include an order of mandatory injunction, setting aside the decision, act, or directive of the respondent removing the names of the applicant’s National Working Committee from its official portal and the decision refusing to attend or monitor the applicant’s congresses or convention, pending the hearing and determination of the suit.

He also sought an order of mandatory injunction directing INEC to forthwith restore and maintain records of the names of Senator David Mark as national chairman and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary, as well as all members of the National Executive Committee of the ADC.

He further sought an order restraining INEC from tampering with, or otherwise interfering with, the said leadership records of the 1st defendant, recognising or giving effect to any contrary or competing claims, pending the final determination of this suit.