The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has taken steps to address the leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), announcing that it will no longer recognize Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary.
The decision follows a Court of Appeal ruling in Suit No. CA/ABJ/145/2026, which directed all parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of a substantive case before the Federal High Court. INEC stated that it would remove the names of Mark and Aregbesola from its portal and refrain from monitoring any conventions or congresses organized by their faction until the court resolves the matter.
National Commissioner Mohammed Kudu Haruna, who chairs INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, emphasized the Commission’s impartiality. He urged political actors to avoid actions that could disrupt the 2027 election timetable. Haruna noted that INEC had received conflicting demands from legal representatives of the rival factions, including a letter from Suleiman Usman SAN & Co cautioning against recognizing Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe as acting chairman.
Gombe, who claims he is the rightful leader of the ADC, also petitioned INEC through Summit Law Chambers, demanding that the Commission stop recognizing Mark and Aregbesola, remove their names from its website, and cease attending meetings organized by them. His request followed the appellate court’s dismissal of Mark’s interlocutory appeal and the issuance of preservatory orders designed to protect the integrity of judicial proceedings.
The dispute stems from the resignation of Ralph Okey Nwosu’s executive in July 2025. Mark’s group claimed legitimacy after the resignation, but Gombe, then the only serving National Vice Chairman, argued that he never stepped down and should have automatically assumed the chairmanship. He subsequently filed Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, seeking to restrain Mark’s faction from parading themselves as party leaders.
INEC’s latest move signals its determination to remain neutral while the courts settle the matter. The Commission stressed that it would not recognize any faction until a final judgment is delivered, underscoring its commitment to fairness and transparency in managing party disputes.
The ADC leadership crisis highlights broader challenges facing Nigeria’s political parties as they prepare for the 2027 elections. INEC’s insistence on judicial resolution reflects its effort to safeguard the credibility of the electoral process and ensure that internal conflicts do not derail the national timetable.
