David Mark
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 a deepening leadership crisis within the party.
The commission also stated that it would not recognise Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is seeking to be declared national chairman through the courts.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, INEC said it had suspended recognition of all factions within the ADC and would refrain from monitoring any conventions or congresses organised by groups linked to the contending leaders.
According to the commission, the decision will remain in force pending the final determination of a substantive suit before the Federal High Court.
The development follows an ongoing leadership tussle within the party, further complicated by a recent ruling of the Court of Appeal in Suit No. CA/ABJ/145/2026.
INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said the commission remains committed to neutrality in the dispute.
He urged political actors to avoid actions that could disrupt preparations for the 2027 general elections.
INEC disclosed that it had earlier received a letter dated March 16, 2026, from Suleiman Usman SAN & Co, cautioning against recognising Gombe as acting national chairman while the matter remains before the court.
The commission also 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 dealings with them.
The conflicting legal claims from rival factions, INEC noted, have further escalated the crisis within the party, necessitating its decision to suspend official engagement with all sides until the courts provide clarity on the leadership dispute.