The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has removed the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as National Chairman and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), respectively, amid an ongoing leadership dispute within the party.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the electoral body also disclosed that it would not recognise Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is seeking to emerge as national chairman through legal action. INEC further announced the suspension of recognition for all factions within the party, stating that it would refrain from monitoring any conventions or congresses organised by groups aligned with the contending leaders.
According to the commission, the decision will remain in effect pending the final determination of a substantive suit currently before the Federal High Court. The move comes in response to the deepening internal crisis within the ADC, which has been further complicated by a recent judgment of the Court of Appeal in Suit No. CA/ABJ/145/2026.
INEC emphasised its commitment to neutrality in handling the matter. The National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, urged political stakeholders to avoid actions that could disrupt preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The commission revealed that it had received a letter dated March 16, 2026, from Suleiman Usman SAN & Co, cautioning against recognising Gombe as acting national chairman while the legal process remains ongoing. Additionally, INEC confirmed receiving a separate “Demand for Enforcement” from Summit Law Chambers, representing Gombe, which called for the removal of Mark and Aregbesola from its records and urged the commission to cease all engagements with them.
These conflicting legal demands from rival factions have intensified the leadership crisis within the party, leaving INEC with limited options but to suspend official dealings with all groups involved. The commission maintained that it would await the court’s final ruling before taking any further action regarding the party’s leadership structure.
The development underscores the challenges posed by internal party disputes and their potential impact on Nigeria’s broader electoral process.
