From Sodiq Omolaoye, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has halted all dealings with factions of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and removed the names of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) led by Senator David Mark, including that of National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, from its official portal.
The Commission said the decision was taken in compliance with the Court of Appeal’s judgment in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026 and to preserve the integrity of an ongoing suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the leadership of the party.
INEC, in a statement on Wednesday, said it would maintain the status quo ante bellum — the situation as it existed before the institution of the suit on September 2, 2025 and refrain from recognising any faction or taking actions that could prejudice the court proceedings.
The development follows a protracted leadership crisis within the ADC, pitting Senator Mark’s camp against that of Hon.
Nafiu Bala Gombe, who claims he should assume leadership of the party as the substantive Vice-National Chairman following the alleged resignation of the former chairman, Ralph Okey Nwosu.
Gombe had approached the Federal High Court seeking, among other reliefs, an order restraining INEC from recognising Mark and Aregbesola as national officers of the party and directing the Commission to acknowledge him as acting national chairman.
While the case was pending, Mark’s camp challenged the jurisdiction of the trial court at the Court of Appeal.
However, in a judgment delivered on March 12, 2026, the appellate court dismissed the appeal and directed all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum, warning against actions capable of undermining the substantive suit.
The court also ordered accelerated hearing of the case in view of the 2027 general election timetable.
Following the judgment, INEC said it received conflicting legal correspondences from both factions. While a law firm, Suleiman Usman (SAN) & Co., urged the Commission not to recognise Gombe due to the pending suit, Summit Law Chambers, representing Gombe, demanded full enforcement of the appellate court’s decision.
Gombe’s lawyers also accused INEC of disobeying court orders by inviting Mark’s faction to a political parties’ meeting and monitoring its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in March.
They further demanded the removal of Mark and Aregbesola from INEC’s portal, cessation of recognition of their leadership, and a halt to all engagements with their faction.
Responding, INEC said it had carefully reviewed the Court of Appeal judgment and all processes before the Federal High Court, noting that the names of the current NWC members led by Mark were uploaded on September 9, 2025, after the institution of the suit.
It, therefore, resolved to remove the names from its portal in order to comply with the directive to maintain the status quo ante bellum.
The Commission also declined the request to recognise Gombe as acting national chairman, insisting that doing so would amount to taking sides in a matter that is still before the court.
INEC further announced that it would no longer receive or act on correspondence from any faction of the ADC regarding party affairs and would not monitor or recognise any meetings, congresses or conventions organised by any group until the case is determined.
“The Commission shall not… take any step or do any act capable of foisting a fait accompli on the court or otherwise rendering nugatory the proceedings before the trial court,” it stated.
The decision effectively leaves the ADC without a recognised leadership in the eyes of the electoral body, raising concerns about the party’s internal operations and preparedness ahead of the 2027 general election.
INEC, however, reaffirmed its commitment to neutrality, impartiality and strict compliance with judicial pronouncements, urging political parties and stakeholders to conduct their affairs in a manner that does not undermine the electoral process.
The Federal High Court in Abuja is expected to determine the substantive issue of leadership of the party in the coming weeks following the appellate court’s directive for accelerated hearing.
