Nigerian Court Bars INEC from Recognizing ADC Leadership, Party Plans Supreme Court Appeal

The leadership crisis within Nigeria's African Democratic Congress (ADC) has deepened, with the Court of Appeal in Abuja affirming a judgment that prohibits the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing any leadership under Chief Ralphs Okey Nwosu, also known as "Barrister Peter Nwa-Ngozi" or "Reginald Dan-Nwa-Ngozi", and his National Working Committee (NWC).

The appellate court, in a split decision of two-to-one, upheld the earlier ruling by Justice Binta Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja. This decision effectively bars INEC from dealing with the faction led by Nwosu. The court also slapped the party with a N10 million cost.

Despite the ruling, the ADC has insisted that the judgment will not impact their candidates. However, the party's presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has signaled his intention to challenge the Court of Appeal's decision at the Supreme Court. Abubakar alleges that INEC has been presented with forged documents concerning a "fake" nomination upload, suggesting a deliberate attempt to manipulate the electoral process.