Atiku and ADC defend primaries as court voids Mark-led congresses

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld an order preventing the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognizing or participating in congresses conducted by committees appointed by the Senator David Mark-led caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress. This decision has introduced uncertainty into the party's internal affairs ahead of the 2027 general election. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the ADC maintain that the ruling does not affect candidates who emerged from its direct primaries. The appellate court affirmed an April 29 judgment that barred the caretaker leadership from interfering with the tenure and functions of the party’s elected state executive committees. Justice Okon Abang, in the majority judgment, stated that the authority to conduct state congresses rests with elected state executive committees, not the caretaker national leadership. The ADC plans to appeal the decision at the Supreme Court, asserting the validity of its direct primaries and candidates for the 2027 elections. Justice Abba Mohammed, the presiding Justice, dissented, arguing the dispute was an internal party affair and non-justiciable. However, the majority held that the matter involved constitutional questions warranting judicial intervention to prevent anarchy and ensure democracy. The court also ruled that congresses and the national convention conducted by the Mark-led caretaker committee were nullities and awarded N10m costs against the ADC. Atiku Abubakar