ADC state chairmen demand INEC compliance with court judgments

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) State Chairmen’s Forum has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to comply with subsisting court judgments on the party’s leadership dispute.

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Mr Ogga Temitope, Chairman of the forum, gave the warning in a statement on Friday, saying non-compliance could create legal uncertainties for the party and its candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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Temitope said democracy could not thrive where court judgments were obeyed selectively or only when convenient.

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He said the dispute followed a Federal High Court judgment delivered in Abuja on April 29 by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.

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According to him, the court nullified the congresses and convention that produced the David Mark-led caretaker leadership of the party.

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He said the court held that the processes leading to the emergence of the leadership did not comply with provisions of the ADC Constitution and the Electoral Act 2026.

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Temitope also said the Court of Appeal, Abuja, in a two-to-one judgment delivered on July 13, upheld the Federal High Court decision.

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He argued that the appellate court’s decision meant that INEC should not recognise the Mark-led faction as the legitimate leadership of the ADC.

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Temitope warned that the development could expose ADC candidates to what he described as a “nullity trap” if their nominations were later challenged on the grounds that they emanated from an invalidated leadership structure.

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He said winning an election might not be sufficient if the nomination process was subsequently challenged before an election tribunal.

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The ADC chieftain also cautioned stakeholders against relying solely on stays of execution, saying such orders suspended enforcement pending further legal proceedings but did not automatically overturn a judgment.

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He urged the Mark-led faction to engage with the court-recognised leadership, pursue reconciliation and regularise the party’s internal processes ahead of campaigns and candidate selection for the 2027 elections.

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Temitope also referred to previous instances in which INEC had faced contempt proceedings over alleged non-compliance with court orders.

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He warned that continued non-compliance could attract sanctions and have consequences for the party and its candidates.

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He called on INEC and all factions within the ADC to respect the rule of law and ensure that the party entered the 2027 electoral cycle with a legally recognised and properly constituted leadership.

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Temitope said the ADC had an opportunity to make significant gains in 2027 but could only achieve a sustainable victory if its internal processes were legally sound.

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He expressed hope that the leadership dispute would be resolved in the interest of the party and the wider democratic process at the next court proceedings scheduled for Sept. 29. (NAN)

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