The African Democratic Congress (ADC) under the leadership of David Mark has rejected the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) reading of the Court of Appeal ruling on the party’s leadership dispute.
In a statement released on Wednesday evening, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC national publicity secretary, alleged that INEC “acted under pressure from a government panicked by the opposition momentum despite its efforts to destroy all opposition parties and foist a one-party rule on Nigeria.”
“We reject INEC’s interpretation of the Court of Appeal ruling. We knew that INEC was being pressured by a government that has become jittery from the ADC’s rising momentum even in the face of its relentless assault on all opposition parties,” the statement said.
Abdullahi added, “INEC’s press statement is full of contradictions that fly in the face of both facts and reason. We shall clarify these contradictions for all to see. What is clear, however, is that INEC has caved to pressure and has chosen to side with the government against the Nigerian people.”
He said the party is reviewing its options and will announce its next steps soon. Abdullahi urged members and the public to remain steadfast, stressing, “Nigeria is rising, ADC is rising.”
INEC’s Position
Earlier, Mohammed Kudu, INEC’s commissioner for information and voter education, stated that the commission would no longer accept correspondences from either faction of the ADC led by Mark or Rafiu Bala. This decision followed the commission’s review of the March 12 Court of Appeal judgement.
Kudu explained that INEC received two letters on March 16, 2026, presenting opposing positions on the leadership dispute. The first, from Suleiman Usman SAN & Co., cautioned against recognizing Nafiu Bala Gombe as acting national chairman due to a pending federal high court case. The second, from Summit Law Chambers, requested enforcement of the Court of Appeal ruling in favour of Gombe and included a certified copy of the judgement.
The commissioner added that Summit Law Chambers later accused the commission of disobeying the court’s orders. According to Kudu, the March 12 Court of Appeal judgement dismissed Mark’s interlocutory appeal and issued preservatory orders central to the ADC leadership dispute.
Observations and Decisions by INEC
INEC noted that the current national working committee (NWC) was formed on July 29, 2025, after the resignation of the Ralph Okey Nwosu-led executive, with Mark assuming leadership. Gombe, the former vice-national chairman, denied resigning and sought a federal high court order to be recognized as acting chairman.
The commission said Mark appealed this order on December 18, 2025, but the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal on March 12, 2026, and issued preservatory orders. INEC stated it would follow the court’s directives strictly, maintaining the status quo from before September 2, 2025, when Gombe filed the suit.
INEC emphasized it would avoid actions that could undermine the trial court proceedings. The commission reaffirmed its “unwavering commitment to neutrality, impartiality and strict compliance with judicial orders,” urging political parties and stakeholders to act in ways that do not jeopardize the 2027 General Election timetable.
