ABUJA: The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has removed the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official records as National Chairman and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), triggering strong reactions from opposition parties and political actors.
The decision, announced on Wednesday by INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, followed a directive from the Court of Appeal instructing the commission to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the determination of an ongoing legal dispute over the party’s leadership.
According to INEC, the commission has been inundated with conflicting legal demands from rival factions within the ADC, each claiming legitimate control of the party’s leadership structure and seeking official recognition.
Haruna explained that the commission received a letter from the law firm of Suleiman Usman SAN & Co., warning against recognising Nafiu Bala Gombe as acting national chairman due to a pending case at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
At the same time, another legal firm, Summit Law Chambers, wrote to INEC requesting enforcement of a Court of Appeal judgment which, they argued, affirmed Gombe’s position and directed the commission to stop recognising Mark and Aregbesola as leaders of the party.
The chambers also urged the electoral body to remove their names from its official portal and refrain from recognising any actions taken by their faction in relation to the party.
INEC said its decision was based on the ruling delivered by the Court of Appeal on March 12, 2026, which dismissed Mark’s interlocutory appeal and issued preservatory orders aimed at preventing any action that could undermine the ongoing legal proceedings.
Quoting the appellate court, the commission stated that it had inherent powers to regulate proceedings and ensure that the subject matter of the dispute before the trial court was not prejudiced.
The court had further directed all parties involved in the dispute to maintain the existing situation and avoid taking steps capable of rendering the trial court proceedings ineffective.
INEC explained that the dispute dates back to the emergence of a new National Working Committee led by Mark following a National Executive Committee meeting in July 2025 after the resignation of the previous leadership.
However, Gombe, who served as Vice-National Chairman of the party at the time, rejected the process and insisted that he should automatically assume the position of chairman following the resignation of former party leader Ralph Okey Nwosu.
He subsequently approached the Federal High Court with a suit seeking an order restraining INEC from recognising Mark and Aregbesola as national chairman and secretary, respectively, and requesting that he be recognised as the acting chairman of the party.
After reviewing the various legal processes and the appellate court judgment, the commission said it resolved during its meeting on March 31, 2026, to refrain from taking any action that could violate the court order.
INEC stated that it would suspend engagement with all factions of the ADC until the matter is determined by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The commission also declared that it would not monitor or recognise any meeting, congress or convention organised by any faction of the party during the period.
Additionally, it ordered the removal of the names of the current members of the National Working Committee led by Mark from its portal in compliance with the Court of Appeal directive to maintain the status quo ante bellum.
The decision, however, triggered strong reactions from opposition parties and political groups.
Reacting on behalf of the ADC, the party’s spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, rejected INEC’s interpretation of the court ruling.
He argued that maintaining the status quo meant reverting to the leadership structure that existed before Gombe instituted legal proceedings, which, according to him, recognised Mark as the legitimate leader of the party.
Abdullahi warned that any attempt to alter that arrangement would amount to yielding to pressure from political actors opposed to the party.
He also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of plotting to destabilise the ADC and weaken opposition forces ahead of future elections.
According to him, there were plans to sponsor protests aimed at demanding Mark’s removal as party chairman in order to create public pressure on INEC to recognise a different leadership.
The spokesperson alleged that the ruling party was becoming increasingly desperate due to the growing political momentum of the ADC in several parts of the country.
Similarly, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) criticised the development, accusing the government of interfering in the affairs of opposition parties.
The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, described the situation as a threat to Nigeria’s democratic process and alleged that the ruling party had been involved in internal crises affecting several opposition parties.
He warned that continued interference could undermine political competition and weaken democratic institutions in the country.
Supporters of former Anambra State governor Peter Obi also expressed concern over the development.
The National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, described INEC’s action as unacceptable and warned that it could create political tension if not carefully handled.
Tanko questioned the basis of the commission’s decision, arguing that a case still pending in court should not be used as justification to suspend recognition of a party’s leadership.
He further alleged that the move was politically motivated and could have serious consequences for Nigeria’s political stability.
Meanwhile, the faction loyal to Gombe welcomed the commission’s action, describing it as a demonstration of neutrality and respect for the rule of law.
Speaking through his Chief of Staff, Bala Sani, the faction said INEC’s decision aligned with the Court of Appeal ruling and prevented any group from taking control of the party while the matter remains before the court.
The faction insisted that it would continue to pursue its legal case while awaiting a final decision from the Federal High Court on the leadership dispute.
With the electoral body suspending engagement with all factions of the ADC, the internal crisis within the party is expected to persist until the court delivers a final ruling on the matter.
