The African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by David Mark has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, asking it to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reverse changes made to the party’s leadership records on its official portal.
In a motion on notice filed before Justice Emeka Nwite, the party is seeking an order of mandatory injunction setting aside INEC’s decision to remove members of its National Working Committee (NWC) from the commission’s records, as well as its alleged refusal to monitor the party’s congresses and convention.
The applicants also urged the court to direct INEC to immediately restore and maintain the names of all ADC NWC members on its portal, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
The motion, dated April 7 and filed by Mark’s counsel, Sulaiman Usman (SAN), follows a March 12 judgment of the Court of Appeal in a suit earlier instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe before the Federal High Court.
The applicants are seeking, among other reliefs, an order setting aside INEC’s decision to remove the party’s leadership from its portal, and an order directing the commission to restore the names of Mark, Aregbesola, and other NEC members.
They are also seeking an injunction restraining INEC from altering or interfering with the party’s leadership records pending the determination of the suit.
Counsel to the applicants argued that the Court of Appeal had ordered parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum, meaning the last lawful and uncontested state of affairs before the dispute.
He further contended that INEC misinterpreted the order by removing the party’s leadership from its records, thereby creating a leadership vacuum and administrative uncertainty within the party.
The lawyer maintained that a mandatory injunction is necessary to restore the party to its proper position and prevent the case from being rendered meaningless.
In a separate motion, the applicants also sought accelerated hearing of the case, urging the court to abridge timelines for filings and hear the matter on a day-to-day basis.
Justice Emeka Nwite had earlier declined an ex parte application seeking to halt the Mark-led leadership, directing that all parties be put on notice instead.
The case stems from an internal leadership dispute involving Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman, who challenged the emergence of the current leadership structure.
The matter has been adjourned for further proceedings.
