The Court of Appeal in Abuja has restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or participating in state congresses conducted by committees appointed by the Senator David Mark-led caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

In a split 2-1 judgment delivered today, the appellate court upheld an earlier decision of the Federal High Court, affirming that only duly elected state executive committees have the authority to organise the party's state congresses.

Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Okon Abang ruled that there was no basis to overturn the lower court's decision. The court also declared that congresses conducted by the caretaker committee were null and void because they violated an existing court order.

However, the presiding justice, Abba Mohammed, dissented, arguing that the dispute was an internal party matter that should not have been decided by the courts.

The ruling is expected to have significant implications for the outcomes of the affected congresses and for candidates who emerged from the exercise ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Reacting to the judgment, the African Democratic Congress said it would appeal the decision at the Supreme Court.