Tension has risen as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) removed the names of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by Senator David Mark, from its official portal.
The Commission also suspended all dealings with the party’s contending factions pending the determination of an ongoing suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
INEC disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday by its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna.
According to INEC, the decision followed the Court of Appeal ruling in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026 involving Senator David Mark and Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, alongside multiple conflicting legal communications from both factions over the party’s leadership.
The Commission stated that it would maintain the “status quo ante bellum”—the situation before the suit was filed on September 2, 2025—in line with the appellate court’s preservatory orders aimed at protecting the integrity of the substantive case.
INEC also rejected a request by Nafiu Bala Gombe’s camp to recognise him as acting national chairman, insisting that doing so would prejudice the matter before the court.
The ADC crisis stems from a leadership tussle following the reported resignation of the party’s former National Chairman, Ralph Okey Nwosu, and other executive members in July 2025, which paved the way for the emergence of a new NWC led by Mark.
However, Gombe, who served as Vice-National Chairman, challenged the development, arguing that he never resigned and should automatically assume leadership in line with the party’s constitution.
He subsequently approached the Federal High Court seeking, among other reliefs, an order restraining INEC from recognising Mark’s leadership and directing the Commission to acknowledge him as acting chairman.
While the case was pending, Mark’s camp filed an interlocutory appeal challenging the jurisdiction of the trial court.
In its March 12, 2026 judgment, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal and ordered all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum, warning against actions that could undermine the proceedings.
The appellate court also directed an accelerated hearing of the substantive suit, citing the proximity of the 2027 general election timetable.
INEC further revealed that it received separate letters dated March 16, 2026, from lawyers representing both factions.
While the law firm of Suleiman Usman (SAN) urged the Commission not to recognise Gombe as acting chairman due to the pending suit, Summit Law Chambers, representing Gombe, demanded enforcement of the Court of Appeal judgment.
Gombe’s lawyers specifically asked INEC to stop recognising David Mark and former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as national chairman and secretary respectively, remove their names from its portal, and refrain from dealing with them.
They also accused the Commission of disobeying court orders by inviting Mark’s faction to a political parties’ meeting and monitoring its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in March.
Additionally, they called for the invalidation of decisions taken at the NEC meeting and sought to restrain INEC from recognising any party activities pending the court’s final decision.
Responding, INEC said it carefully reviewed the Court of Appeal judgment and all processes before the Federal High Court before arriving at its decision.
The Commission reaffirmed that it would maintain the status quo ante bellum as directed and avoid any action that could prejudice the proceedings.
INEC added that it would not recognise Gombe as acting national chairman and would suspend all interactions with any ADC faction.
“The Commission shall not, given the reliefs claimed in the Originating Summons and pending motions, receive further communication or deal with any of the parties regarding the affairs of the party. It will also not monitor any meeting, congress, or convention convened on behalf of the ADC until the matter is decided by the Federal High Court, Abuja,” the statement said.
The Commission further explained that since the names of the current NWC led by David Mark were uploaded on September 9, 2025—seven days after the suit was filed—they would now be removed from the portal in compliance with the Court of Appeal’s directive.
INEC, however, reaffirmed its commitment to neutrality, impartiality, and adherence to the rule of law, urging political actors to avoid actions that could undermine the electoral process.
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