Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court Abuja, has restrained former Senate President David Mark and other party figures from interfering with the functions and tenure of elected state executives of the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

The Judge also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or participating in any congress organised by a disputed caretaker leadership of the ADC.

The order made on Wednesday followed an originating summons filed by Norman Obinna and six others on behalf of ADC state chairpersons and executive committees.

They challenged the legality of actions taken by a caretaker or interim national leadership.

The plaintiffs argued that the caretaker body lacked the constitutional authority to organise state congresses or appoint committees for that purpose.

They asked the court to affirm their tenure and stop any parallel process.

In her judgment, Justice Abdulmalik noted that she found “the issue in the originating summons meritorious”.

She said the germane issue was whether the second to sixth defendants, including Mr Mark, had constitutional or statutory authority to assume the powers of an elected state organ of the ADC, whose tenure is constitutionally guaranteed.

According to her, section 223 of the 1999 Constitution provides that political parties shall conduct periodic elections on a democratic basis, while article 23 of the party’s constitution provides that national and state officers shall hold office for a maximum of two terms of eight years.

Justice Abdulmalik, therefore said that “the question is whether there is any infraction committed by Mr Mark and co-defendants when they convened meetings and appointed a body known as a congress committee to organise state congresses.”

On the issue of internal affairs of political parties raised by the defendants, she noted that “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.”

“Where a party alleges that its constitution has been violated, the court is bound to adjudicate. Any argument that this court lacks jurisdiction on that basis fails,” she ruled.

She held that political parties must comply strictly with their constitutions and that courts can intervene where there is a breach of constitutional or statutory provisions.

She found that the procedure adopted by the defendants, including the appointment of a “congress committee”, is not recognised by the party’s constitution.

The judge ruled that the tenure of state executive committees remains valid and must be allowed to run its course.

She said only those elected structures have the authority to organise state congresses.

The court set aside the appointment of the committee and restrained INEC from recognising any congress organised by it.

The court also restrained Mr Mark and other defendants from organising congresses or conventions outside the provisions of the party’s constitution.

The judge further restrained them from taking steps that could undermine or disrupt the authority of the state executive committees.

The suit was instituted by way of originating summons by the plaintiffs, led by Mr Obinna and six others. They sued on behalf of state chairmen and
executive committees of the ADC.

The defendants include the ADC, David Mark, Patricia Akwashiki, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Oserheimen Osunbor, and INEC.

The plaintiffs challenged the legality of caretaker or interim national working committees and urged the court to restrain INEC from recognising or participating in any congress organised by the caretaker committee.

The plaintiffs contended that, under the party’s constitution and the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the tenure of state executive committees subsists until valid congresses are conducted, and that any attempt to bypass them undermines internal party democracy.

However, the defendants, in preliminary objections, counter affidavits and written addresses, urged the court to dismiss the suit.

Mr Mark and others argued that the matter relates to internal affairs of a political party, is not justiciable, that the plaintiffs lack locus standi, and that the suit is incompetent.

Before delivering judgment, the court also ruled on the preliminary objections and counter affidavits filed by the defendants.

On jurisdiction, Justice Abdulmalik held that “the subject matter of the plaintiff’s action pertains to the affairs of INEC,” and therefore falls within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court under section 251 of the Constitution.

On the argument that the plaintiffs failed to exhaust internal dispute resolution mechanisms, the judge declined to uphold the objection at that stage. She held that determining that issue would amount to deciding substantive questions prematurely.

On locus standi, she held that “the plaintiffs’ locus standi and capacity emanate from the alleged violation” and that they share a common grievance, making the representative action proper.

Consequently, she held that the objections lacked merit and were resolved in favour of the plaintiffs.

…Reaffirms support for 2027

The Enugu North Senatorial District will, on May 2, 2026, host a mega endorsement rally in honour of Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in appreciation of what they described as their impactful leadership and contributions to the development of the zone.

The rally, which is expected to draw stakeholders from across the senatorial district and beyond, will hold at the Nsukka Township Stadium by 10 a.m.

The organizers, in a statement issued by the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Chief Ikeje Asogwa, said the event would also serve as a platform for the people of Enugu North Senatorial District, also known as Nsukka Zone, to reaffirm their resolve to support both leaders to return to Government House, Enugu, and the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, in 2027.

They noted that the Mbah administration had executed many impactful projects across the Enugu North zone, including the establishment of Smart Green Schools and Type 2 Primary Healthcare Centres in each of the 102 electoral wards, the revamp and re-equipping of the Type 3 Primary Healthcare Centre at Adani, and key road infrastructure such as the ongoing dualisation of the Abakpa–Ugwuogo Nike–Ekwegbe–Opi Road.

Also listed is the Ama Brewery–Eke–Akama Oghe–Iwollo–Umulopka Road, which is currently at an advanced stage of completion, alongside numerous other projects being executed directly by the state government and through local governments, as well as those in the pipeline.

Expected at the rally are political leaders across party lines, traditional rulers, religious leaders, business and market leaders, women and youth groups, farmers, artisans, civil society organisations, academics and professionals, students, among others.

Opposition parties across Nigeria have declared their determination to challenge the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), warning of threats to democratic governance ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The declaration was made in a communiqué issued after a national summit held in Ibadan on Saturday, where key opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Rotimi Amaechi, Peter Obi and Rauf Aregbesola, met to chart a common strategy.

Reading the communiqué, the factional chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Taminu Turaki, said: “We shall resist all machinations by the APC to foist a one-party State on Nigeria and fight for the survival of multi-party democracy in our country.”

On the 2027 elections, the opposition dismissed claims of a predetermined outcome, stating: “Despite the onslaughts and manoeuvrings of the ruling party… we shall field candidates and contest the 2027 Presidential and other elections.”

The parties also signalled plans for a united ticket, declaring: “We shall work towards fielding one Presidential Candidate for the 2027 elections, which shall be agreed and supported by all participating opposition parties to rescue our nation and her long suffering masses.”

Raising concerns about the electoral umpire, the communiqué stated: “The INEC Chairman, Joash Ojo Amupitan, having shown bias and partisanship in favour of the ruling APC, should not conduct the 2027 general elections.”

It further warned: “His continuous stay in office is vexatious and capable of triggering widespread crisis in our nation.”

On electoral reforms, the opposition urged lawmakers to act swiftly, saying: “The National Assembly should immediately review the Electoral Act, 2026 to remove all sections that threaten the sanctity and integrity of the elections.”

The communiqué also addressed alleged political repression, stating: “All leading politicians that are being detained or harassed on bailable offences be released with immediate effect and allowed to exercise their fundamental rights of participation and inclusivity as Nigerians.”

Criticising recent electoral guidelines, the parties said: “We consider the recent guidelines released by INEC as obstacles, deliberately engineered to impose conditions and deadlines on the opposition parties,” adding, “INEC [should] extend the deadline for primaries till the end of July, 2026.”

Earlier in his address, the host governor, Seyi Makinde, warned that Nigeria’s democracy was facing a gradual erosion due to increasing political concentration and the weakening of opposition parties.

He stated: “Across Nigeria today, we are witnessing a level of political concentration that should concern all of us… taken together, they point to a pattern where the space for real political competition is disappearing.”

Makinde cautioned that democracy “is not destroyed overnight,” but “weakened step by step,” stressing that “when opposition becomes ineffective, democracy itself begins to lose meaning.”

He emphasised that democracy must be defined by “the existence of real alternatives” and warned that without this, “what we have may still be called democracy, but it will no longer function as one.”

Highlighting the significance of Ibadan as the venue, he noted: “Ibadan has always served as the political capital of southwest Nigeria… this gathering… carries that same responsibility” as past historic constitutional conversations.

The governor also clarified the intent of the summit, saying: “It is not a gang-up against one man; and it is not about individual ambitions to be president. It is about the collective ambition of the Nigerian people to have a democracy properly defined.”

Makinde, however, warned that: “Democracy without opposition is not democracy, it is a slow drift toward a one-party State. And Nigeria must not make that drift,” urging stakeholders to “think clearly, speak honestly, and act with a sense of responsibility that goes beyond party lines.”

In his intervention, political economist and strategist, Pat Utomi, painted a stark picture of the country’s economic hardship, using a personal experience to illustrate the widening gap between living costs and citizens’ income.

He said: “Let me begin with a simple experience from yesterday. I set out to buy fuel, and by the time I was done, I had spent nearly 250,000 naira just to fill my tank.“

“At the same time, I came across a report showing that a large percentage of Nigerians live on less than 100,000 naira a month. That contrast is not just troubling, it is absurd. If that doesn’t reveal something fundamentally broken in our system, then nothing will.”

Utomi noted that the crisis extended beyond fuel prices, stressing: “Food prices are rising, insecurity continues to disrupt agriculture, and ordinary people are struggling to survive.“

“Yet we are often told to ‘be patient,’ that things will improve with time. But patience means very little to those who are hungry today.”

Reflecting on Nigeria’s past, he added: “In the years leading up to independence, Nigeria was not industrialised, but there was a clear vision. Within a few years, manufacturing began to grow significantly. There was direction, there was purpose.”

He argued that the country’s challenges were not only economic but moral, stating: “Leadership without character cannot build a nation. The crisis we face today is not only economic—it is moral.”

Utomi further emphasised Nigeria’s untapped potential, saying: “Every region has resources, talent, and potential. Yet we have become overly dependent on oil, neglecting other sectors and weakening our economic foundation.”

Calling for urgent reforms, he said: “We need leadership with character. We need policies that reflect our realities, not borrowed solutions that do not fit our context. Above all, we must listen to the voices of the people.”

He expressed optimism that: “The situation we face is serious, but it is not hopeless. With the right leadership, the right values, and a shared commitment to progress, we can rebuild this nation and create a future that works for all.”

Also addressing the summit, the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark, described the gathering as a critical moment in Nigeria’s history, calling it “an urgent response to our nation’s call to patriotic duty.”

He said: “My prayer is that history will remember us, that when the nation cried out to be rescued, we answered. When children went to bed hungry, we answered, when proud, hardworking citizens were turned to beggars; we answered.”

Raising alarm over insecurity, Mark stated: “Across the length and breadth of our country, insecurity has become a defining feature of daily life. Nigeria faces a historic challenge.”

Citing grim statistics, he added: “In 2025 alone, Nigeria recorded more than 12,000 conflict-related deaths. Nigeria is now ranked 4th in global terrorism index. At least 15 Nigerians are killed daily, while about 19 people are abducted.”

He criticised the government’s response, saying: “We are a nation that is constantly in mourning, yet the APC-led government is behaving as if all is well,” accusing it of being “preoccupied with election matters and politics of self-succession.”

On democracy, Mark warned: “The essence of democracy is to provide the people with a choice… however, the ruling party has done everything to deny the people of Nigeria this very right to seek an alternative.”

He described the opposition’s task as a “national rescue mission,” stressing: “No single opposition political party, can confront a system so entrenched. We must be united to salvage our nation.”

Mark further alleged deliberate efforts to weaken opposition parties, stating: “The move towards a one-party state is real, institutions that should safeguard our freedom, are increasingly under assault.”

He insisted that the struggle transcended politics, declaring: “This contest is between the ruling party APC, and the Nigerian people, we are on the side of the people.”

Questioning the credibility of the electoral body, he said: “When the referee clearly and proudly wears the jersey of one of the teams, then the legitimacy of the entire process is undermined,” adding that Nigerians had lost confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He called for unity and sacrifice, noting that: “Let this summit go down in history as the moment when everything changed, we chose unity over division, sacrifice over self, and country above all.”