By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court Abuja, has barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or participating in any state congress organised by a disputed caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Justice Abdulmalik, also restrained former Senate President David Mark and other party figures from interfering with the functions and tenure of elected state executives, as the duty of conducting state congresses, rests on the state executive committee and not the national executive committee.
The ruling followed an originating summons filed by Norman Obinna and six others on behalf of ADC state chairpersons and executive committees.
They challenged the legality of actions taken by a caretaker or interim national leadership.
The plaintiffs argued that the caretaker body lacked the constitutional authority to organise state congresses or appoint committees for that purpose. They asked the court to affirm their tenure and stop any parallel process.
