A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has approached the court to seek an order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing the leadership of David Mark. Instead, the faction is urging the court to recognize the leadership structure led by Nafiu Bala, the factional acting National Chairman.

According to Abimiku Monday, Special Adviser on Strategic Communication to Bala, the matter is scheduled for hearing on September 30. Monday made this known during an interview on Arise Television, where he emphasized the need for the court to intervene in the dispute. He stated that the faction wants the court to prevent INEC from acknowledging the Mark-led leadership and instead validate the Bala-led structure.

When asked if he accepts INEC’s recognition of the Mark-led leadership, Monday expressed reservations, saying he would not confirm it 100%. He attributed the current crisis in the ADC to the influx of politicians from other parties who attempted to take over the party’s structure without following due process. Monday explained that in Nigeria, there are established procedures for joining a political party, which involve starting from the ward level, rather than attempting to join from the top.

The ADC has been embroiled in a leadership crisis since July, which started when a group of politicians from another party attempted to hijack the party’s structure. The dispute has led to a splintering of the party, with different factions claiming legitimacy. The court’s decision on September 30 is expected to provide clarity on the recognized leadership of the ADC and potentially resolve the ongoing power struggle.

The outcome of the court case will have significant implications for the ADC and its future direction. If the court rules in favor of the Bala-led faction, it could lead to a realignment of the party’s structure and potentially affect its prospects in future elections. On the other hand, if the court recognizes the Mark-led leadership, it could lead to further divisions within the party. The ADC’s internal crisis has already sparked concerns about the party’s ability to present a united front in upcoming elections, and the court’s decision will be closely watched by political observers and stakeholders.