ADC Leadership Crisis: Court Orders Status Quo as Abuja Convention Plans Stall
An Abuja division of the Federal High Court on Tuesday directed all parties involved in a suit concerning the leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to maintain the status quo pending the resolution of the case.
Justice J.O. Abdulmalik issued the directive after counsel to one of the defendants sought an adjournment to enable a proper response to the processes filed by the plaintiffs.
The plaintiffs, led by Don Norman Obinna alongside six others, are instituting the action on behalf of state chairmen and members of the state executive committees of the ADC.
Those listed as defendants include the ADC, David Mark, Patricia Akwashiki, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, as well as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The suit challenges the legality of the caretaker or interim national working committee under the leadership of Mark, which the plaintiffs argue lacks the constitutional mandate to conduct state congresses or constitute congress committees.
They are asking the court to declare that their tenure as state executive committees remains subsisting and that only duly recognised state executive bodies possess the authority to organise state congresses.
In addition, they urged the court to restrain INEC from recognising or taking part in any congress conducted by the said caretaker committee.
PulseNets learnt that the suit marks the latest twist in the lingering leadership tussle within the ADC, which revolves around control of party structures ahead of anticipated congresses and broader political alignments.
At the core of the dispute is the legitimacy and scope of powers of the caretaker or interim national working committee, with sections of the party accusing it of exceeding its constitutional limits.
The plaintiffs maintain that under the party’s constitution and the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the tenure of state executive committees remains valid until properly conducted congresses are held, insisting that any attempt to sideline them undermines internal party democracy.
In his ruling, Justice Abdulmalik directed all parties to file and exchange their necessary processes, noting that all pending applications would be considered alongside the substantive matter.
The court further ordered all parties to refrain from taking any actions capable of rendering the proceedings ineffective.
He also instructed that hearing notices be duly served on all concerned defendants ahead of the next adjourned date.
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The case was subsequently adjourned to April 23 for definite hearing.
Meanwhile, the Mark-led ADC leadership proceeded with plans to hold the party’s national convention in Abuja on Tuesday.
However, the exercise was stalled due to the inability to secure a suitable venue.
