ADC State Chairmen Sue NWC Over Primaries

Abuja – The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is facing fresh legal turmoil as chairmen from all 36 states and the FCT have dragged the National Working Committee to the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The plaintiffs accuse Senator David Mark-led NWC of violating the party’s constitution by setting up parallel committees to organise state primaries scheduled for April 2026.

NaijaChoice News can report that the suit, filed on March 18, 2026, seeks an urgent determination on who actually has the power to conduct the primaries – the elected state executives or the interim NWC.

Through their lead counsel, Don Norma Obinna and six others, the state chairmen are asking the court to interpret key provisions of the ADC constitution alongside Section 223 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the December 23, 2023 mediation report.

They want clarity on whether the four-year tenure of the state working committees remains valid until proper congresses are held.

The originating summons also questions if the so-called Caretaker/Interim National Working Committee has any constitutional right to appoint congress committees or interfere in state affairs.

Articles 17, 19(7) and 19(9) of the ADC constitution are central to the case, with plaintiffs arguing that only state executive committees can organise congresses and primaries.

They are praying the court to declare any such appointments by the NWC null and void.

Among the key reliefs is a perpetual interlocutory injunction restraining Senator Mark, the NWC, INEC and other defendants from tampering with the functions and tenure of the state executives.

The party itself, Senator David Mark, the Independent National Electoral Commission and four others have been joined as defendants.

No date has been fixed for the hearing.

This latest suit comes barely days after the Court of Appeal in Abuja dismissed an appeal filed by Senator Mark in the ongoing leadership dispute, even as the ADC insisted his position as National Chairman remains intact pending the substantive case at the Federal High Court.

With INEC’s revised 2027 election timetable fixing party primaries between April 23 and May 30, the internal crisis threatens to derail the ADC’s preparation for next year’s polls.

Political observers say the outcome of this case could determine whether the party can present candidates on time or risk further fragmentation ahead of the general elections.

The court is yet to assign a date for mention of the matter.