We’re waiting for CTC to make our position known: INEC breaks silence on ADC judgement
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declined to take a position on the latest judgement involving the African Congress (ADC), insisting that it must first obtain and examine the certified true copy of the Federal High Court judgment that sacked the David Mark-led leadership of the party.
The commission said it would study the court’s decision before determining its next line of action, stressing that it would not rely on media reports or third-party interpretations of the judgment in making an official decision.
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The development follows Thursday’s ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja, which nullified the Mark-led caretaker leadership and invalidated major decisions taken under its authority, including the party’s presidential primary that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as its flag bearer for the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on the matter, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, said the commission would only act after obtaining the court’s certified judgment.
“We can’t take a position until we see the judgment ourselves. We have to get the certified true copy because we don’t take decisions or reports of what the court said based on reports because the reports could be wrong,” Haruna said.
He disclosed that the commission would deliberate on the matter at its next meeting scheduled for next week.
Haruna also acknowledged the possibility of further legal developments, particularly if the Mark-led faction proceeds with an appeal against the ruling.
He said INEC would be bound to comply with any valid court order, including an injunction staying the execution of the judgment, should such an order be granted.
“Obviously, if the David Mark faction should appeal, which I am sure they will, and they get an injunction for stay of execution, obviously, we’ll have to obey that judgment,” he added.
In the judgment, Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, nullified the emergence of the Mark-led caretaker committee, holding that the process violated the ADC constitution, relevant provisions of the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution.
The ruling followed a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC Deputy National Chairman (North-East), who challenged the circumstances surrounding the emergence of Mark and other members of the caretaker committee.
Bala had argued that following the resignation of the party’s former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to assume leadership of the party.
He consequently asked the court to invalidate decisions taken by the Mark-led leadership and restrain Mark and former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, from parading themselves as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.
Upholding the suit, Justice Lifu nullified the process that produced the caretaker committee, alongside the party’s presidential primary that returned Atiku as its 2027 presidential candidate.
The court also invalidated Aregbesola’s emergence as National Secretary, the appointments of other national officers and the nominations of candidates submitted by the party for the 2027 general elections.
Furthermore, INEC was specifically directed not to recognise or act on resolutions and decisions arising from the ADC’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on July 27, 2025. The ADC, INEC, Mark, Aregbesola and Nwosu were listed as defendants in the suit.
[…] We’re waiting for CTC to make our position known: INEC breaks silence on ADC judgement […]