A counsel representing the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has told a court that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirmed the election of Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary during a meeting held on July 29, 2025.
In a viral video shared on X, the lawyer said INEC’s position supports the party’s claim that the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting actually took place on that date and produced the current leadership.
He stated:
“INEC’s position agrees with us that the party did hold a NEC meeting on the 29th of July 2025, during which Distinguished Senator David Mark and His Excellency, Ogbene Rauf Aregbesola were elected as National Chairman and National Secretary of ADC, respectively,” he said.
He further claimed that INEC not only acknowledged the meeting but also attended it.
“They also confirmed in their report that they attended the NEC meeting and that the meeting produced Senator David Mark and Aregbesola as National Chairman and National Secretary,” the lawyer stated.
According to him, INEC also documented the meeting and submitted a report to the court as evidence.
“They produced a report, which is the report they attached. So INEC is on the same page with us as far as this matter is concerned,” he said.
The lawyer dismissed the opposing side’s claims, describing the case as baseless.
“The plaintiff’s case is speculative, it is premised on gossip; an activity that never existed,” he argued.
He explained that while the plaintiff claimed the leaders emerged on July 22, 2025, no evidence was provided to support it.
“Their argument is that Senator David Mark and Aregbesola emerged on the 22nd of July 2025, and we are saying no, you don’t have any document to prove that,” he said.
He added that the party has official documents showing that INEC was notified of the July 29 NEC meeting.
“We have documents to show that on the 4th of July 2025, the party sent INEC a notice of the NEC meeting to be held on the 29th of July 2025. And on that date, the meeting held. INEC attended and produced a report,” he said.
The lawyer maintained that the evidence supports their position and also questioned the legal standing of the plaintiff.
“What is the locus of the person who filed this matter? He is not an official of the party, he is just a member,” he said.
He also argued that courts should not interfere in internal party affairs, citing Supreme Court rulings on political party autonomy.
