An Abuja Federal High Court has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish the names of candidates submitted by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the February 21 Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Justice Mohammed Umar gave the order on Tuesday while delivering judgment in a suit filed by 17 ADC candidates who challenged INEC’s refusal to grant the party electronic access to upload their details for the elections.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1907/25, was instituted after INEC declined to recognise the list of candidates submitted by the ADC leadership under its chairman, Senator David Mark.
In his ruling, Justice Umar held that the evidence presented by the plaintiffs was credible and meritorious, adding that they had successfully established their case. He consequently granted all the reliefs sought in the originating summons.
The court ordered INEC to recognise and publish the names of the plaintiffs as ADC candidates for the various positions they contested in the party’s substitution primary election ahead of the FCT Area Council polls.
Justice Umar also directed INEC to grant the ADC electronic access to upload the candidates’ names on its portal, citing relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC’s election guidelines.
The candidates listed for upload include Jafaru Shaibu, Ayenajeyi Yakubu, Dauda Awode, Ezra Zaki, Sunday Abraham, Ayuba Adam, Jamilu Kabiru, Nuhu Madaki, Ibrahim Aliyou, Ogwuche Linus, Chibuike Anyika, Okechukwu Ironkwe, Godwin Adoga, Agada John, Onuoha Goodness, Mahrazu Bichi and Tobias Obechina.
The plaintiffs approached the court after INEC allegedly blocked the ADC from uploading their names for the forthcoming elections.
In a 27-paragraph affidavit deposed to by one of the plaintiffs, Onuoha Goodness, the claimants stated that the first to 16th plaintiffs participated in the ADC primary election following the withdrawal of candidates whose names had earlier been uploaded before the August 11, 2025 deadline. She added that the 17th plaintiff emerged as the ADC vice-chairmanship candidate for the Abuja Municipal Area Council.
According to the affidavit, the party attempted to upload the candidates’ details but was denied access by INEC. She further explained that correspondence between the ICT departments of both bodies indicated that the issue stemmed from INEC’s refusal to recognise the signatures of the ADC’s current National Chairman and National Secretary, Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
The plaintiffs also told the court that INEC declined to accept a letter from their counsel requesting access to upload the candidates’ names.
One of the key issues for determination, the court noted, was whether INEC was obliged under the Electoral Act and its own guidelines to grant the ADC electronic access to upload the candidates’ details. Resolving the issue in favour of the plaintiffs, Justice Umar ordered INEC to grant the required access and publish the candidates’ names accordingly.
