A Federal High Court in Abuja has been approached by David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over the removal of its officials from the records of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
INEC had, on April 1, delisted Mark as National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary from its official portal.
In a motion before Justice Emeka Nwite, Mark is seeking an order compelling INEC to restore the names of the party’s National Working Committee and recognise its leadership pending the determination of the suit.
He also wants the court to restrain INEC from recognising any rival leadership.
The application follows a March 12 ruling of the Court of Appeal, which directed parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum.
Mark’s legal team argues that this refers to the leadership structure in place before the dispute, insisting INEC misinterpreted the order by removing the names from its portal.
The suit further contends that INEC’s action has created uncertainty within the party and could undermine the case if not reversed.
In a separate motion, Mark is also asking the court to grant accelerated hearing, citing the need to resolve the leadership dispute quickly to avoid further confusion within the party.
The case stems from an earlier suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is challenging the legitimacy of the current ADC leadership.
(Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie)
