FACTIONS IN ADC: What Court Order Says

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise and publish the names of candidates submitted by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under the leadership of former Senate President, David Mark, for the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections.

The court, in a judgment delivered by Justice Mohammed Umar, directed INEC to immediately give effect to the list of 17 ADC candidates presented by the Mark-led leadership for the February 21, 2026 FCT Area Council polls. 

The court also ordered the electoral body to grant the party access to its online portal to enable the upload of the candidates’ details.

The suit was instituted by the ADC candidates after INEC allegedly declined to recognise their nomination, citing internal disputes within the party. The claimants argued that they were duly nominated by the party’s recognised leadership and that INEC’s refusal to process their names violated the Electoral Act and their constitutional rights.

In his ruling, Justice Umar held that INEC has no power to arbitrarily reject candidates duly submitted by a political party, stressing that the commission must act within the confines of the law. He consequently ordered INEC to publish the candidates’ names as required by the electoral guidelines.

However, contrary to claims circulating on social media, the court did not declare that there is “no faction” in the ADC. The judgment was strictly limited to the issue of candidate nomination and recognition for the FCT polls and did not make a pronouncement resolving the wider leadership dispute within the party.

The ADC has been grappling with internal disagreements over leadership in recent months, with rival camps laying claim to the party’s structure. 

Political observers say the latest ruling strengthens the position of the David Mark–led group, at least in relation to participation in the FCT Area Council elections.

As of the time of filing this report, ZANCEN YAU24 was yet to record INEC's official reaction to the judgment from INEC. 

The decision is expected to shape preparations for the FCT polls and may also influence ongoing legal battles over the ADC’s national leadership.

The FCT Area Council elections are scheduled to hold on February 21, 2026, with several political parties intensifying

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