The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the judgment of the Federal High Court restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or participating in any state congresses organised by committees appointed by the Senator David Mark-led caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a split decision of two to one delivered on Monday, the appellate court ruled that the authority to conduct state congresses lies with the party’s duly elected state executive committees and not the national caretaker leadership.
The majority judgment, delivered by Justice Okon Abang and concurred with by Justice Donatus Okorowo, also affirmed the lower court’s order restraining the Mark-led caretaker executives from interfering with the tenure and responsibilities of the ADC’s elected state executive committees.
However, Justice Abba Mohammed dissented, maintaining that the matter was an internal party dispute and therefore not within the jurisdiction of the court.
The appellate court further declared the state congresses and national convention conducted by the Mark-led caretaker leadership null and void, ruling that they were held in violation of a subsisting court order.
More details to follow.
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