The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has affirmed the judgment restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or participating in any state congresses organised by committees appointed by the Senator David Mark-led caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). A three-member panel of the appellate court recently had its say via a lead verdict delivered by Justice Okon Abang.
Upholding the order of trial Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, which restrained the Mark-led executives from interfering with the tenure and functions of the party’s elected state executives, the panel revealed that it found no reason to set aside the restraining order the Federal High Court in Abuja issued against the Mark-led ADC on April 29.
The appellate court added that responsibility for conducting state congresses of political parties rests with elected state executive committees, not with the national leadership.
Justice Abang said, “Once a complaint before the court is anchored on a constitutional infraction, the shield of internal affairs drops and the veil is lifted for judicial intervention.”
