The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld

a lower court order stopping the African Democratic Congress (ADC) from dissolving the party’s State Working Committees (SWC).

The ruling, a split 2–1 judgment delivered on Monday evening, also slapped the appellants with a N10 million fine payable to the state chairmen for attempting to illegally truncate their four-year tenure. The appellants, including ADC, Sen. David Mark, and Rauf Aregbesola, challenged the decision of Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court which stopped them from cutting short the four years tenure of the state officers of the party.

Delivering the judgment, Justices Okon Abang and Donatus Okorowo affirmed the Federal High Court’s jurisdiction in their majority judgment—agreeing that the chairmen’s removal breached the ADC Constitution. However, the presiding justice, Abba Bello Mohammed dissented, holding that the issue of election of officers and removal are exclusive internal affairs of the party.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is one of Nigeria’s major political parties, and this ruling is set to have a significant impact on the party's internal politics.

### What led to this moment

The crisis in the ADC began when Sen. David Mark, the party leader, and his team attempted to dissolve the State Working Committees (SWC) of the party without going through the proper constitutional channels. The state chairmen, led by Don Norman Obinna, Johnny Tovie Derek, Obah C. Ehigiator, Hon. Olona Yinka, Dr.

Charles Idowu Omideji, Samuel Pam Gyang, and Obianyo Patrick, sued for themselves and on behalf of all State Chairmen and State Executive Committees of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

### The specific details

The Court of Appeal’s ruling has been seen as a significant victory for the state chairmen, who were able to prevent the appellants from truncating their four-year tenure. This means that the state chairmen will continue to hold office for the next four years, pending the conduct of a properly constituted State Congresses and the convocation of a National Convention.

The ruling also means that the appellants will have to pay a fine of N10 million payable to the state chairmen for attempting to illegally truncate their tenure.

### What happens next

The ruling is likely to have a significant impact on the internal politics of the ADC. The party leader, Sen. David Mark, and his team may face opposition from within the party, and may be forced to renegotiate with the state chairmen.

### The Nigerian angle

This ruling is significant for Nigeria’s politics, as it highlights the importance of following due process and respecting the constitutional rights of party members.

### Key facts:

  • The Court of Appeal delivered a split 2–1 judgment on Monday evening.
  • The ruling stopped the African Democratic Congress (ADC) from dissolving the party’s State Working Committees (SWC).
  • The appellants, including ADC, Sen. David Mark, and Rauf Aregbesola, were slapped with a N10 million fine payable to the state chairmen.
  • The state chairmen will continue to hold office for the next four years.
  • The appellants will have to pay a fine of N10 million for attempting to illegally truncate the state chairmen’s tenure.