The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will study the certified true copy of a Federal High Court judgment before deciding its response to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) crisis.
The ruling, delivered in Abuja on Thursday, nullified the leadership headed by former Senate President David Mark and decisions taken under it, including the presidential primary that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s 2027 candidate.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, told Punch the commission would not rely on media reports.
“We can’t take a position until we see tthe judgement ourselves. We have to get the certified true copy because we don’t take decisions or reports of what the court said based on reports because the reports could be wrong,” he said.
Haruna said the commission would consider the matter next week.
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“Well, this one is very straightforward even then, we are all here till next week when the commission meets. We will have to meet over it,” he said.
He added that INEC would obey any order if the Mark-led faction appealed and secured a stay of execution.
“Obviously, if the David Mark faction should appeal, which I am sure they will, and they get an injunction for stay of execution, obviously, we’ll have to obey that judgement,” he added.
Justice Peter Lifu gave the ruling in a suit filed by ADC Deputy National Chairman (North-East), Nafiu Bala Gombe, who claimed he was entitled to lead the party after Ralph Nwosu resigned.
The court held that Mark’s caretaker committee emerged in violation of the ADC constitution.
It nullified Rauf Aregbesola’s emergence as national secretary, other appointments and the party’s 2027 candidate nominations.
The judge also directed INEC not to recognise decisions taken at the ADC’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting.