INEC Withdraws Recognition of David Mark Led ADC Executive Following Appeal Court Judgment

The Independent National Electoral Commission has removed the names of Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as National Chairman and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress respectively. The decision, announced on Wednesday, follows a leadership crisis within the party and a recent judgment by the Court of Appeal in Suit No. CA/ABJ/145/2026.

The electoral body said it would also suspend recognition of all factions within the party and refrain from monitoring any conventions or congresses organized by groups aligned with the affected leaders. The move will remain in place pending the final determination of a substantive suit before the Federal High Court.

In a statement, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mallam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said the commission remained committed to neutrality. However, the development has created confusion and anxiety within the ADC.

The crisis reached a boiling point following conflicting demands from legal representatives of the warring factions. INEC disclosed that it had received a letter dated March 16, 2026, from Suleiman Usman SAN and Company, warning against any recognition of Nafiu Bala Gombe as acting national chairman while legal proceedings are ongoing. The commission also received a “Demand for Enforcement” from Summit Law Chambers, representing Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, which requested that INEC stop recognising Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, remove their names from the INEC website, and refrain from receiving any correspondence from them.

The demand followed the Court of Appeal’s dismissal of Senator David Mark’s interlocutory appeal and the subsequent issuance of preservatory orders. In its ruling, the Court of Appeal directed that the parties must maintain the status quo ante bellum and shall refrain from taking any step capable of foisting a fait accompli on the court or otherwise rendering nugatory the proceedings before the trial court.

Providing background to the dispute, INEC noted that the David Mark led National Working Committee claimed legitimacy following the resignation of the Ralph Okey Nwosu led executive in July 2025. However, Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, the only existing National Vice Chairman, contested this, claiming he never resigned and ought to have automatically taken over as Chairman. Gombe subsequently filed Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, seeking an injunction to restrain the Mark group from parading themselves as party leaders.

The commission has declined the request to allow Gombe to immediately take over the party’s affairs, committing instead to ensuring the case is heard expeditiously. It will not receive further communication from, or deal with, any of the contending groups on matters relating to the party’s affairs.

The ADC has reacted angrily to the decision. In a statement posted on X, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, accused INEC of acting under pressure from the Federal Government, which he described as “jittery” over the ADC’s growing influence. He said the commission’s position was flawed and riddled with contradictions, arguing that it failed to align with both facts and reason. The ADC spokesman said the party was currently reviewing its options and would make its next steps known in due course.

Similarly, a human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, criticised INEC over its decision, alleging a plot to undermine credible elections ahead of 2027. He said recent developments surrounding the ADC raised concerns about a “well-orchestrated sinister conspiracy” to truncate a transparent electoral process. He further accused INEC of potentially acting in favour of the ruling party, suggesting that the developments could be aimed at weakening opposition ahead of the next general elections.

INEC said the decision to remove the names was to ensure it did not act in any way capable of foisting a fait accompli on the court or otherwise rendering nugatory the proceedings before the trial court. The commission reiterated its “unwavering commitment to remain impartial and unbiased” and urged all political actors to avoid actions that could jeopardise the 2027 election timetable.

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