Court Bars INEC From Recognising ADC Caretaker State Congresses

by HEDNEWS on April 29, 2026

A Nigerian court has restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising caretaker state congresses conducted by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), while also ordering key party figures to stay away from the administration of elected state executives. The ruling, delivered on Tuesday, directed the electoral body not to acknowledge or act upon any caretaker committees allegedly set up to manage the party’s state structures pending the determination of the substantive issues before the court. The court further restrained former Senate President David Mark and other senior party stakeholders from interfering with the tenure, powers, and functions of duly elected state executives of the party. The legal action followed an internal leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where rival factions laid claim to authority over party structures across several states.

Plaintiffs argued that attempts to install caretaker committees violated the party’s constitution and undermined officials elected through recognised congresses. They maintained that allowing caretaker arrangements could destabilise the party ahead of future political activities and electoral preparation

Restrained Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or dealing with caretaker state congresses of the ADC.
Ordered that elected state executives remain in office pending the resolution of the suit.
Barred David Mark and other party figures from interfering in party administration at the state level.

The judge emphasised the need to preserve the existing leadership structure to prevent further escalation of the intra-party dispute. Political observers say the ruling could significantly affect ongoing efforts to reorganise the ADC’s leadership nationwide. The decision is expected to maintain the status quo within the party until the court delivers a final judgment on the legality of the contested congresses. Legal analysts also note that the order reinforces judicial oversight in political party governance, particularly when internal conflicts threaten organisational stability. The matter has been adjourned for further hearings, where the court will consider substantive arguments from all parties involved before issuing a final ruling. Until then, INEC is barred from recognising any caretaker leadership emerging from the disputed congresses.