The African Democratic Congress (ADC) faction led by David Mark has taken legal action against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), asking a Federal High Court in Abuja to reverse the derecognition of its leadership.
Mark, through his lawyer, Sulaiman Usman (SAN), filed a motion before Justice Emeka Nwite seeking orders to restore the party’s leadership structure. He asked the court to compel INEC to reinstate the names of the National Working Committee (NWC), including himself as National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, on its official records and portal.
The legal action follows INEC’s decision on April 1 to remove the names of Mark and Aregbesola from its platform, citing issues linked to a Court of Appeal judgment delivered on March 12 in a case involving Nafiu Bala.
Mark’s legal team argued that the appellate court ordered all parties to maintain the “status quo ante bellum,” meaning the last uncontested leadership structure before the dispute began. They insisted that as of September 2, 2025, Mark was the recognised National Chairman, and any removal of his name contradicts that directive.
The motion seeks three main reliefs, including setting aside INEC’s refusal to monitor ADC activities, restoring the leadership list, and preventing the commission from recognising any rival claims until the case is decided.
The lawyer also requested accelerated hearing of the case, arguing that the ongoing leadership dispute is affecting the party’s operations, participation in political activities, and overall internal stability.
He warned that the continued uncertainty could lead to parallel leadership structures and further confusion within the party.
The case is part of a broader leadership crisis within the ADC, with competing factions laying claim to control of the party, following earlier legal battles and internal disagreements.
