ADC Crisis: Court Orders Status Quo In State Chairmen’s Suit

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday ordered all parties in a suit over the leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the case.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik issued the directive after counsel to one of the defendants sought an adjournment to respond to the plaintiffs’ filings. The suit was instituted by Norman Obinna and six others on behalf of ADC state chairmen and their executive committees, challenging the legality of a caretaker or interim National Working Committee.

Listed as defendants in the case are the ADC, David Mark, Patricia Akwashiki, Bolaji Abdullahi, Rauf Aregbesola, Oserheimen Osunbor, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The plaintiffs argue that the caretaker committee lacks constitutional authority to organise state congresses or appoint congress committees, insisting that their tenure as duly elected state executives remains valid.

They are seeking court declarations affirming that only properly constituted state executive committees can conduct congresses, and urging the court to restrain INEC from recognising or participating in any exercise organised by the interim leadership. The case marks the latest twist in the ADC’s internal leadership dispute, which centres on control of party structures ahead of anticipated congresses and broader political realignments.

At the core of the disagreement is whether the caretaker committee has the legal backing to act in place of elected structures. The plaintiffs maintain that under the party’s constitution and the 1999 Constitution (as amended), state executives remain in office until valid congresses are conducted, warning that any attempt to sideline them undermines internal democracy.

In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik directed all parties to file their processes, noting that all pending applications would be taken together with the substantive suit. She further cautioned against any action that could render the proceedings nugatory. The court also ordered that hearing notices be served on all relevant parties ahead of the next sitting. The matter was adjourned until April 23 for definite hearing.

(LEADERSHIP)