ADC Crisis Explodes As 36 State Chairmen Take NWC To Court

A fresh leadership crisis has engulfed the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as state chairmen across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory have instituted legal action against the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) over alleged breaches of its constitution. According to Ireporter Online, the dispute stems from decisions taken by the NWC under the leadership of David Mark, particularly the formation of committees to oversee state primary elections scheduled for April.

The aggrieved State Working Committees accused the national leadership of encroaching on their constitutional duties by unilaterally setting up structures to manage the primaries, insisting that such responsibilities are exclusively reserved for state executive committees under the party’s governing rules.

In an originating summons filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, the plaintiffs are seeking judicial intervention to halt the planned primaries. They are requesting an interlocutory injunction to restrain the NWC from proceeding with the exercise pending the determination of the suit.

The suit also raises questions over the legality of the interim or caretaker working committee constituted by the NWC, specifically whether it possesses the authority to organise state primaries. The plaintiffs further challenged the legitimacy of appointing congress committees outside the provisions of the party’s constitution.

Another central issue before the court is the tenure of the current state executive committees. The plaintiffs maintained that their four-year mandate remains valid until duly conducted state congresses and a national convention are held in line with constitutional guidelines.

The case, filed by Don Norma Obinna and six others on behalf of the chairmen, lists the ADC, its NWC chairman David Mark, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and other relevant parties as defendants. Among the reliefs sought are orders preventing interference with the functions and tenure of the state executives, as well as a declaration nullifying the appointment of congress committee members by the caretaker or interim NWC.