Appeal Court bars INEC from recognizing Mark-led ADC congresses

The Court of Appeal in Abuja, in a split two-to-one decision, upheld a Federal High Court judgment restraining the Nigeria — Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing or participating in state congresses organized by committees appointed by the Senator David Mark-led caretaker leadership of the Nigeria — African Democratic Congress (ADC). The appellate court affirmed that the responsibility for conducting state congresses rests with elected state executive committees, not the national caretaker leadership. The ruling also barred the Mark-led executives from interfering with the tenure of elected state executives. The court dismissed the ADC's appeal and awarded costs of N10 million against the party. The ADC, through its National Welfare Secretary Nkem Ukandu, announced plans to appeal to the Supreme Court. The judgment may affect the presidential candidacy of Atiku Abubakar and other candidates who emerged from the Mark-led faction's national convention ahead of the 2027 general elections.