By Adenike Lawal
An Abuja division of the Federal High Court has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish the names of African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidates for the February 21, 2026, Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The ruling, delivered by Justice Mohammed Umar on Tuesday, followed a suit by 17 ADC aspirants challenging INEC’s refusal to grant the party electronic access to upload its candidates’ details. The court held that the claimants provided credible evidence and ordered INEC to recognise and publish the plaintiffs as duly nominated ADC candidates.
The court also instructed INEC to restore the party’s portal access to enable the submission of candidates’ names, citing the Electoral Act 2022 and the commission’s election guidelines. Among those to be uploaded are Jafaru Shaibu, Ayenajeyi Yakubu, Dauda Awode, Ezra Zaki, Sunday Abraham, Ayuba Adam, and others.
The plaintiffs argued that INEC blocked their submissions despite the withdrawal of earlier nominees and proper completion of Forms EC9 and EC13. Disputes over signatures under the current ADC leadership, headed by David Mark, had prompted the commission’s initial refusal.
Justice Umar’s judgment ensures the immediate publication of the ADC candidates ahead of the FCT polls, resolving the impasse and clearing the way for the party’s participation.
