The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stepped into the ongoing leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), announcing that it will no longer recognise Senator David Mark as the party’s National Chairman.
Following a meeting on Tuesday, 31st March 2026, the electoral body also confirmed that it has removed the names of Senator Mark and other National Working Committee (NWC) members from its official portal. The decision effectively freezes the commission’s interaction with all factions of the party until a pending lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Abuja is resolved.
The crisis stems from a protracted legal battle over who legitimately leads the ADC. The immediate trigger for INEC’s latest action is a judgement delivered by the Court of Appeal in Abuja on 12th March 2026 in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026: Senator David Mark v Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe & Ors.
While dismissing an interlocutory appeal filed by Senator David Mark, the appellate court issued what it called “preservatory orders” to protect the integrity of the substantive suit already pending before the Federal High Court. The court directed all parties to “maintain the status quo ante bellum” and to refrain from any act that could “foist a fait accompli on the court.”
The Court of Appeal also ordered an accelerated hearing of the substantive suit, Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, in view of the upcoming 2027 general election timetable.
Conflicting Demands on INEC
In the weeks following the judgement, INEC found itself caught between two warring factions, each backed by separate legal letters demanding action.
On one side, the law firm of Suleiman Usman SAN & Co., representing concerned stakeholders within the ADC, wrote to the commission on 16th March 2026 urging it not to recognise Mr Nafiu Bala Gombe as acting national chairman. The firm cited the pending Federal High Court suit where the leadership question is still being contested.
On the same day, Summit Law Chambers, writing on behalf of Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, took the opposite position. The firm attached a certified copy of the Court of Appeal judgement and demanded that INEC enforce it immediately.
Their demands included ceasing recognition of Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as national chairman and national secretary, removing their names from the INEC portal, and refraining from dealing with any actions taken by Mark’s group.
The pressure intensified on 27th March 2026 when Summit Law Chambers sent another letter, this time accusing INEC of disobeying the court’s orders. The firm alleged that the commission had invited Senator David Mark’s group to a political parties’ meeting on 24th March 2026 and had monitored a National Executive Committee meeting held by the same group the following day.
INEC’s Resolution
After reviewing the Court of Appeal judgement and the various legal filings before the Federal High Court, the commission arrived at a resolution during its meeting on 31st March 2026.
According to a statement signed by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC resolved to strictly adhere to the Court of Appeal’s directive to maintain the status quo ante bellum.
The commission interpreted this as returning to the position of the parties as it existed before 2nd September 2025, when Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe first filed the originating summons at the Federal High Court.
Based on this interpretation, INEC refused the request by Gombe’s lawyers to allow him to take over the party’s affairs pending the court’s final decision. However, the commission also decided to remove the names of Senator David Mark’s group from its portal.
The names had originally been uploaded on 9th September 2025, exactly seven days after the suit was filed. INEC noted that while the upload was done following a request received on 4th September 2025, the removal was now necessary to comply with the court’s order to revert to the pre-litigation status.
A Hands-Off Approach
Going forward, INEC made it clear that it would not engage with any faction until the Federal High Court delivers its judgement.
The commission said it would not receive further communications from any of the parties regarding the affairs of the ADC. It also declared that it would not monitor any meetings, congresses, or conventions convened by any group within the party.
“The commission shall not, given the reliefs claimed in the Originating Summons and the pending motions, receive any further communication or deal with any of the parties or groups pertaining the affairs of the party,” the statement read.
INEC added that it would refrain from “any act capable of foisting a fait accompli on the court or otherwise rendering nugatory the proceedings before the trial court.”
Background of the Dispute
The ADC leadership crisis came to a head following a National Executive Council meeting on 29th July 2025, during which members of the Ralph Okey Nwosu-led executive resigned. The meeting subsequently ratified the appointment of a new National Working Committee led by Senator David Mark.
However, Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, who had served as vice-national chairman under the dissolved executive, disputed the process. He argued that he never resigned from the party and that, following the chairman’s resignation, he should automatically take over as acting chairman in line with the party’s constitution.
On 2nd September 2025, Gombe filed Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025 before the Federal High Court in Abuja. His originating summons sought several orders, including restraining INEC from recognising Senator David Mark’s group as the party’s leaders and directing the commission to recognise him as acting national chairman.
He also filed motions seeking to prevent the ADC from holding any conventions or meetings and to stop INEC from monitoring or recognising any activities of the party pending the determination of the suit.
Senator David Mark subsequently challenged the jurisdiction of the trial court, leading to the appeal that was dismissed by the Court of Appeal on 12th March 2026.
Conclusion
INEC reiterated its commitment to neutrality and strict compliance with judicial orders. The commission urged political parties and stakeholders to conduct themselves in a manner that does not jeopardise the electoral timetable for the 2027 general election.
Discussion about this post