Dare Babalola
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has discontinued recognition of the faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President, David Mark.
This follows the judgment of the Court of Appeal and subsequent legal directives tied to the party’s leadership dispute.
The Commission disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, indicating that its position is anchored on the decision of the appellate court in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026 involving David Mark and Nafiu Bala Gombe.
INEC said it received a demand from Summit Law Chambers, legal representatives of Nafiu Bala Gombe, urging it to enforce the court’s ruling by withdrawing recognition from the David Mark-led leadership and refraining from further engagement with the faction.
Quoting from the correspondence, INEC stated that the solicitors requested the Commission to, “Cease recognition of Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Chairman and National Secretary respectively of ADC; remove their names from the Commission’s portal; and refrain from dealing with or recognising any actions taken by them in respect of the party in line with the preservation orders made by the Court of Appeal.”
The Commission noted that the Court of Appeal, in its judgment delivered on March 12, 2026, dismissed an interlocutory appeal filed by David Mark and issued preservatory orders aimed at safeguarding the subject matter of the dispute pending before the Federal High Court.
Highlighting the basis for such orders, INEC quoted the appellate court as stating, “Finally, it is necessary to make preservatory orders to ensure that the subject matter of the dispute pending before the trial court is not prejudiced as Courts have inherent powers to control and regulate proceedings to ensure justice.”
INEC, however, acknowledged that it also received a counter-position from Suleiman Usman SAN & Co., acting on behalf of other stakeholders within the ADC, cautioning against recognising Nafiu Bala Gombe as Acting National Chairman due to an ongoing suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The letter, according to the Commission, warned against taking any step that could undermine the pending case, stressing that the issue of the party’s leadership remains sub judice.
Despite the conflicting legal arguments, INEC maintained that its actions are guided strictly by subsisting court orders. It also addressed allegations by Gombe’s legal team that it had earlier engaged with the David Mark faction by inviting it to a stakeholders’ meeting and monitoring its activities.
The Commission noted that the same legal team, in a follow-up letter, accused it of disobedience, stating:
“The Commission had acted in disobedience of the Court of Appeal’s Orders by inviting Senator David Mark’s group to a political parties’ meeting and monitoring a purported National Executive Committee meeting of that group.”
They further demanded that INEC invalidate the said meeting and halt all forms of recognition of the faction pending the determination of the substantive suit.
The development signals a major shift in the ongoing leadership crisis within the ADC, with the David Mark-led faction effectively losing official recognition by the electoral umpire for now.
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to neutrality and the rule of law, emphasising that it will continue to act in strict compliance with judicial pronouncements as the courts work towards resolving the dispute.
