INEC Removes Senator David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola from Portal, Freezes All Dealings with ADC Factions Over Leadership Crisis

INEC Removes Senator David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola from Portal, Freezes All Dealings with ADC Factions Over Leadership Crisis

By Kim Joshua Dahwol 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has taken decisive action in the ongoing leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), removing the names of Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.In a detailed press release issued on April 1, 2026, INEC stated it will suspend all interactions with any faction of the party and will not monitor or attend any ADC meetings, congresses, or conventions until the Federal High Court in Abuja delivers a final ruling on the matter.The move follows conflicting demands from lawyers representing rival factions and aligns with preservatory orders issued by the Court of Appeal in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026 (Senator David Mark v. Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe & Ors).Court of Appeal Orders and INEC’s StanceThe Court of Appeal, in its judgment delivered on March 12, 2026, dismissed an interlocutory appeal by Senator David Mark and directed all parties to “maintain the status quo ante bellum” the situation that existed before the suit was filed on September 2, 2025. The appellate court warned against any actions that could prejudice the substantive case or present the trial court with a fait accompli.INEC’s resolution, reached at its meeting on March 31, 2026, explicitly states:“The Commission shall not… receive any further communication or deal with any of the parties or groups pertaining to the affairs of the party and will not monitor any Meeting, Congress or Convention convened on behalf of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) by any group until the matter is decided by the Federal High Court, Abuja.”

The Commission also rejected demands from Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe’s legal team to recognise him as acting National Chairman pending the court’s decision.The leadership tussle stems from the resignation of the previous ADC National Executive Committee led by Mr. Ralph Okey Nwosu in July 2025. Senator David Mark’s group was subsequently ratified as the new National Working Committee (NWC) and its details uploaded to INEC’s portal on September 9, 2025.Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, former Vice National Chairman, claims automatic succession and filed Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025 seeking to restrain Mark’s group from parading itself as the party’s leadership and to bar INEC from recognising it.INEC noted it received letters on March 16, 2026, from both sides making competing demands, followed by further correspondence accusing the Commission of disobeying court orders after it invited Mark’s group to a political parties’ meeting and monitored a National Executive Committee session.The party has recently emerged as a major opposition platform, with reports of high-profile figures exploring coalitions ahead of the 2027 general elections. INEC’s decision effectively places the party’s official activities in limbo, potentially complicating preparations for congresses and a national convention.The Commission emphasised its commitment to neutrality and strict compliance with judicial orders, urging political parties to avoid actions that could jeopardise the 2027 electoral timetable.The full press release, signed by National Commissioner Mohammed Kudu Haruna, Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, is available on INEC’s official X account.This development is being closely watched by political stakeholders as Nigeria’s opposition landscape continues to evolve. The Federal High Court is expected to accelerate hearing of the substantive suit in line with the Court of Appeal’s directives.