The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has been plunged into a fresh leadership crisis as the party’s chairmen across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have dragged the National Working Committee (NWC) to court.
The plaintiffs are seeking a court order to stop the NWC, led by Senator David Mark, from conducting the party’s upcoming state primary elections scheduled for April.
In an originating summons (Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/…) filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, the State Chairmen accused the NWC of “flagrant disregard” for the party’s constitution. They allege that the NWC’s decision to set up external committees to oversee state primaries is a direct usurpation of the constitutional powers of the State Working Committees (SWC).
Represented by Don Norma Obinna and six others, the chairmen are asking the court to determine whether the “Caretaker/Interim” committees formed by the NWC have the legal standing (*locus standi*) to organize state congresses. They also argue that under Article 17 of the ADC Constitution and Section 223 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), their four-year tenure remains valid.
The suit joins the ADC, the NWC Chairman, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and four others as defendants. The plaintiffs are seeking a perpetual injunction to restrain the NWC from interfering with the duties and tenure of the state executives.
A date for the hearing is yet to be fixed by the court.
