The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has issued an interim order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or participating in any congress organised by a disputed caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The ruling, delivered on Wednesday, follows a legal challenge arising from an internal leadership crisis within the opposition party. The plaintiffs in the suit argued that the caretaker committee currently laying claim to the party’s leadership lacks legitimacy and, therefore, has no legal authority to convene congresses or make binding decisions on behalf of the ADC.
In granting the interim relief, the court directed INEC to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit. This effectively means that the electoral body is temporarily prohibited from supervising, monitoring, or validating any congress organised by the contested leadership faction.
The dispute within the ADC has intensified in recent weeks, with multiple factions asserting control over the party’s structure. At the heart of the conflict are disagreements over leadership succession, internal governance processes, and the legality of the caretaker arrangement.
Legal analysts note that the court’s intervention is aimed at preventing further complications that could arise if congresses conducted under a disputed authority are later invalidated. By restraining INEC, the court seeks to avoid a situation where outcomes of such congresses could trigger broader electoral disputes or undermine party stability.
As of the time of filing this report, INEC has not issued an official response to the court order. Similarly, representatives of the rival ADC factions are yet to provide detailed public reactions, though the ruling is expected to influence the party’s immediate political activities.
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The case has been adjourned to a later date for hearing of the substantive matter, where the court will determine the legitimacy of the caretaker leadership and the legality of its actions.
The development adds to a growing list of intra-party disputes in Nigeria’s political landscape, highlighting ongoing challenges related to party administration, leadership transitions, and adherence to constitutional procedures within political organisations.
