A fresh crisis has rocked the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as state chairmen across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory have taken the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to court over alleged constitutional violations.

The chairmen are challenging decisions made by the NWC led by former Senate President David Mark, particularly the move to set up committees to conduct state primary elections slated for April. According to the plaintiffs, the action amounts to a direct usurpation of powers that, under the party’s constitution, belong solely to state executive committees.

NewsTrump Asked Us To Halt Attacks On Iran – Israeli’s PM Netanyahu

In a suit filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, the State Working Committees are seeking an order restraining the NWC from proceeding with the planned primaries. They are also requesting a perpetual interlocutory injunction to halt the exercise pending the court’s final determination.

Central to the dispute is the legality of the caretaker or interim working committee constituted by the NWC, with the plaintiffs questioning its authority to organise state primaries and appoint congress committees outside constitutional provisions.

The chairmen further argued that their four-year tenure remains valid until properly conducted state congresses and a national convention are held, as stipulated by the party’s constitution.

Filed by Don Norma Obinna and six others on behalf of the aggrieved chairmen, the suit lists the ADC, its NWC chairman David Mark, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and other parties as defendants. Among the reliefs sought are orders to prevent interference with the duties and tenure of state executives, as well as a declaration that the appointment of congress committees by the caretaker NWC is unconstitutional, null, and void.

The development signals a deepening internal rift within the ADC ahead of its planned primaries, raising concerns over the party’s stability and preparedness for upcoming political contests.