The Independent National Electoral Commission has been directed by the Federal High Court in Abuja to immediately recognise and publish the names of 17 candidates submitted by the African Democratic Congress for the upcoming Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections.
Justice Mohammed Umar issued the order on Tuesday while delivering judgment in a suit filed by the ADC candidates, who challenged INEC’s refusal to grant the party electronic access to upload their nomination details.
The candidates had taken the commission to court after being blocked from the INEC portal, despite emerging from a valid substitution primary held after the withdrawal of earlier nominees.
In the judgment, Justice Umar held that the plaintiffs provided credible evidence and proved their case beyond reasonable doubt. He subsequently granted all reliefs sought and ordered INEC to publish the candidates’ names in line with the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC’s own guidelines.
The court specifically instructed the commission to grant the ADC electronic access to upload the list, which includes Jafaru Shaibu, Ayenajeyi Yakubu, Dauda Awode, and 14 others contesting for chairmanship and councillorship positions.
The dispute arose after INEC declined to recognise correspondence from the ADC’s current leadership, led by National Chairman Senator David Mark, citing signature verification issues.
Justice Umar resolved the matter in favour of the candidates, affirming that INEC is obligated under the law to allow the party to submit its validly nominated candidates for the February 21 polls.
Discussion about this post