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An Abuja Federal High Court on Tuesday instructed all parties involved in the case regarding the leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to maintain the status quo until the case is resolved.

Justice J.O. Abdulmalik issued the order following a request for adjournment from the counsel representing one of the defendants, who sought more time to respond to the plaintiffs’ submissions.

The plaintiffs, led by Don Norman Obinna and six others, are filing the case on behalf of state chairmen and state executive committees of the ADC.

The defendants include the ADC, David Mark, Patricia Akwashiki, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The plaintiffs are challenging the legality of a caretaker or interim national working committee led by Mark, alleging that it lacks the constitutional authority to organize state congresses or appoint congress committees.

They are seeking declarations that their tenure as state executive committees remains valid, asserting that only properly constituted state executive committees can organize state congresses.

Additionally, they are asking the court to prevent INEC from recognizing or participating in any congress organized by the caretaker committee.

This suit is the latest chapter in the ongoing leadership dispute within the ADC, revolving around control of party structures ahead of upcoming congresses and political shifts.

The core of the disagreement centers on the role of a caretaker or interim national working committee, which some party members argue is exceeding its constitutional mandate.

The plaintiffs maintain that, according to the party’s constitution and the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the tenure of state executive committees continues until valid congresses are held, and that bypassing them undermines internal party democracy.

In his ruling, Justice Abdulmalik directed all parties to file their relevant processes, adding that pending applications would be heard along with the main suit.

The judge also ordered that all parties refrain from taking actions that could undermine the court proceedings.

He further instructed that hearing notices be served to the affected defendants in preparation for the next sitting.

The matter was adjourned to April 23 for a definite hearing.

Meanwhile, the David Mark-led ADC leadership pressed forward with its plans to hold the party’s national convention in Abuja on Tuesday.

However, the convention has been hindered by the inability to secure a venue.

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