The decision was reached by a three-man panel of the Court of Appeal which, in a split decision of two to one, upheld the earlier order of the trial court.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or participating in any state congresses organised by committees appointed by the Senator David Mark-led caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The appellate court's decision upholds the earlier ruling of the Federal High Court, which barred INEC from giving official recognition to or participating in state congresses conducted by committees constituted by the ADC's caretaker leadership headed by former Senate President, Senator David Mark.
The judgment represents a significant legal development in the ongoing leadership dispute within the opposition party, as it reinforces the lower court's position that the electoral umpire should refrain from recognising congresses organised under the authority of the David Mark-led caretaker committee pending the resolution of the internal crisis.
The decision was reached by a three-man panel of the Court of Appeal which, in a split decision of two to one, upheld the earlier order of the trial court.
