ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria’s Federal High Court in Abuja restrained Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission from recognizing any state congresses organized by the caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Okay News reports that Justice Joyce Abdulmalik delivered the judgment barring former Senate President of Nigeria, David Mark, and other figures from interfering with the functions and tenure of elected state executives.
The case originated from a summons filed by Norman Obinna and six others representing the party’s state chairpersons and executive committees.
The plaintiffs challenged the legality of the caretaker committee and argued it lacked the constitutional authority to organize state congresses.
Justice Abdulmalik said she found “the issue in the originating summons meritorious” and framed the dispute around the constitutional authority of the defendants.
“The law is settled that courts will not interfere. However, where there is an allegation of breach of constitutional or statutory provisions, the court has a duty to intervene,” the judge said.
The other defendants in the suit included Patricia Akwashiki, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and Oserheimen Osunbor.
