ABUJA (FN) A Federal High Court has barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing congresses conducted by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The ruling, delivered in Abuja, followed a suit challenging the legitimacy of recent congresses organized by factions within the party. The court held that INEC must refrain from acknowledging or acting on the outcomes of those congresses until the matter is fully resolved.
Justice presiding over the case emphasized that the decision was necessary to prevent confusion and ensure compliance with the Electoral Act. The order effectively halts INEC from processing candidates or leadership lists emerging from the disputed congresses.
The ADC has faced internal divisions in recent months, with rival groups conducting parallel congresses and submitting conflicting reports to INEC. Party members say the ruling underscores the need for reconciliation and clarity before the 2027 polls.
INEC officials have yet to issue a formal response, but legal experts note that the judgment reinforces the commission’s obligation to act strictly within the law and avoid entanglement in intra-party disputes.
The case highlights ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s political landscape, where internal party conflicts often spill into the courts and raise questions about electoral preparedness.
