The political landscape took a dramatic turn yesterday with a big blow to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) withdrew recognition for the growing opposition party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
The electoral body declared that it would not recognise or monitor the activities of any faction within the party until the legal dispute is resolved.
INEC removed the names of National Chairman Senator David Mark, National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, and other members of the NWC from its website, where they were previously listed as ADC leaders.
The commission further stated that it would not recognise the leadership of self-declared factional chairman Nafiu Bala Gombe nor monitor any activities conducted by any ADC faction, in compliance with the judgment of the Court of Appeal.
National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, stated this in a statement.
But the ADC rejected the interpretation of the court judgment by INEC, which led to its action.
The commission resolved “to maintain the status quo ante bellum as directed by the Court of Appeal based on the facts and position of the parties existing before 2nd September 2025, when the case was filed by the plaintiff”.
INEC added: “That the Commission would, in accordance with the Order of the Court of Appeal in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026, refrain from taking any step or doing any act capable of foisting a fait accompli on the court or otherwise rendering nugatory the proceedings before the trial court, having regard to all the processes filed before the trial court.
“The Commission refused to accede to the request of the plaintiff’s solicitors to allow Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe to take over the affairs of ADC pending the determination of the case.
“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 to the affairs of the party and will not monitor any meeting, congress or convention convened on behalf of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) by any group until the matter is decided by the Federal High Court, Abuja, so as not to do any act capable of foisting a fait accompli on the court or otherwise rendering nugatory the proceedings before the trial court.
“Since the names of the current National Working Committee members led by Senator David Mark were uploaded on 9th September 2025 by INEC (seven days after the suit was instituted), the names would be removed from the INEC portal pursuant to the order of the Court of Appeal to maintain the status quo ante bellum until the matter is decided by the trial court.
“The Commission reiterates its unwavering commitment to neutrality, impartiality and strict compliance with judicial orders.
“Political parties and stakeholders are urged to conduct themselves in a manner that does not jeopardise the Electoral Timetable for the 2027 General Election.”
Tracing the origin of the leadership crisis within the ADC, INEC explained that it received a letter from the law firm of Suleiman Usman SAN & Co. dated March 16, 2026, titled: “Re: Notice of pending proceedings before the Federal High Court and Caution Against any purported recognition of Mr Nafiu Bala Gombe as Acting National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC),” written on behalf of concerned stakeholders within the party.
INEC also received a separate letter from Summit Law Chambers, also dated March 16, 2026, titled: “Demand for enforcement of the orders made by the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division in appeal No: CA/ABJ/145/2026: Senator David Mark V Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe & 4 Ors,” written on behalf of Gombe.
While the letter from Suleiman Usman SAN & Co urged the commission not to recognise Gombe as acting National Chairman due to the pending suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025) before the Federal High Court, Abuja, Summit Law Chambers, on the other hand, urged INEC to enforce the Court of Appeal judgment.
According to INEC, the latter demanded the cessation of recognition of Mark and Aregbesola as National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively, removal of their names from the commission’s portal, and a halt to all dealings with them in line with preservation orders.
The commission stated that, in another letter dated March 27, 2026, Summit Law Chambers accused it of disobeying the Court of Appeal’s orders by inviting Mark’s faction to a political parties’ meeting held on March 24 and monitoring a purported National Executive Committee meeting of the group.
The lawyers also drew INEC’s attention to pending motions seeking to restrain both the ADC and the commission from conducting or recognising any party activities pending the determination of the substantive suit.
The commission was also asked to invalidate the NEC meeting held by Mark’s NWC on March 25, remove the group’s names from its portal, stop recognising their correspondence, and allow Gombe to take over the party’s affairs pending the court’s decision.
INEC noted that the Court of Appeal, in its judgment delivered on March 12, dismissed an interlocutory appeal filed by Mark and issued preservatory orders, including a directive for accelerated hearing of the substantive suit and maintenance of the status quo ante bellum.
It added that the commission, after reviewing the judgment and processes before the court, resolved to strictly comply with the appellate court’s orders.
INEC observed that the current NWC led by Mark emerged from a NEC meeting held on July 29, 2025, following the resignation of the previous executive led by Ralph Okey Nwosu.
According to the commission, Gombe, who was Vice-National Chairman, denied resigning and claimed he should automatically assume leadership in line with the party’s constitution.
He subsequently instituted the suit challenging the legitimacy of Mark’s leadership and seeking INEC’s recognition as the National Chairman.
INEC also stated that it received fresh correspondence from Mark’s NWC on March 31, notifying it of scheduled congresses and a national convention.
The commission noted that the request for uploading the names of new party officers was originally received on September 4, 2025, and approved on September 9, 2025.
A check by our correspondent at about 9:07 p.m. confirmed that the names of Mark and his team had been removed from the INEC website and replaced with “BY COURT ORDER”.
The party’s office address was also no longer listed.
Leke Abejide, until recently the only ADC member in the National Assembly, said he would await the final judgment.
ADC rejects INEC’s stance
The ADC rejected INEC’s position, saying it wrongly interpreted the Court of Appeal decision.
It spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi said in a statement: “We knew that INEC was being pressured by a government that has become jittery from the ADC’s rising momentum even in the face of its relentless assault on all opposition parties.
“INEC’s press statement is full of contradictions that fly in the face of both facts and reason. We shall clarify these contradictions for all to see.
“What is clear, however, is that INEC has caved to pressure and has chosen to side with the government against the Nigerian people.
“We are currently reviewing our options, and we shall make these known soon.
“Meanwhile, we call on our members and all Nigerians to remain steadfast as they await further directives. Nigeria is rising. ADC is rising.”
The ADC spokesman also shared a letter, dated May 18, 2025, in which Gombe purportedly resigned as Deputy National Chairman.
The letter reads in part: “I, Nafiu Bala, do hereby write to notify you of my resignation as a member of the National Working Committee of our great party, African Democratic Congress, with effect from 26 May, 2025.
“My resignation is to make way for a smooth and effective coalition and restructuring. My resignation does not in any way mean that I am abandoning the party, so I would be ready to serve in any other capacity I may be called upon in the future.
“While I thank you for the opportunity afforded me to serve our great party, please accept the assurances of my highest regards.”
However, the authenticity of the resignation letter couldn’t independently verified.
Also yesterday, a faction of the ADC staged a peaceful protest at the headquarters of INEC in Abuja, demanding the recognition of Gombe as the party’s National Chairman.
The protesters, led by Gombe, urged the electoral body to comply with what they described as a subsisting judgment of the Court of Appeal and warned against actions capable of undermining ongoing judicial proceedings.
Addressing demonstrators, the Special Adviser on Strategy to the ADC Chairman, Abimiku Monday, called on INEC to respect the March 12, 2026 judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division.
Chanting slogans such as “Obey the court,” “Respect the Constitution,” and “No to impunity,” the protesters also appealed to Nigerians to defend constitutional order and the rule of law.
Monday stated that the appellate court had directed all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum and refrain from actions that could prejudice proceedings before the Federal High Court.
He stressed that the judgment remains binding on all authorities, citing Section 287(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which mandates compliance with decisions of the Court of Appeal.
According to him, the party formally notified INEC through its lawyers on March 15, 2026, and followed up with another letter on March 27, demanding compliance within seven days or risk contempt proceedings.
He criticised what he described as INEC’s persistent refusal to obey a valid court order, warning that such actions could undermine the rule of law and democratic governance.
“No institution in Nigeria is above the law. When a public body, particularly one tasked with overseeing elections, ignores the orders of a superior court, it sends a dangerous signal that the rule of law is optional,” he said.
Convener of the protest, Abdullahi Ahmed, said the demonstration was aimed at reinforcing the rule of law and safeguarding democratic integrity.
He warned that failure by INEC to comply with the court’s directive could erode public trust in the electoral body and weaken democratic institutions.
The protesters demanded immediate compliance with the appellate court’s ruling, restoration of the status quo, and an end to actions capable of undermining ongoing legal proceedings.
INEC’s Assistant Director of Security, Mohammed Hamma, said the Commission’s leadership was in Lagos attending an official engagement.
He, however, assured that INEC remained open to further engagement on the matter.
“Unfortunately, the Chairman is not around. They are all in Lagos attending a workshop.
“INEC does not have anything to hide. If representatives return after the break, they can follow up,” he said.
The genesis of ADC crisis
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has been battling with leadership crisis, following the defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the party.
A section of the party had also opposed to the opposition coalition spearheaded by the new members without proper consultation, leading to legal battles, court-ordered caretaker committees, and fragmented state-level branches.
The party first experienced upheaval and internal wrangling over the tenure of the long-serving national chairman, Ralph Nwosu, who led the party for over 17 years. It culminated in a Federal High Court ruling in December 2022 that his tenure had expired.
Prior to the 2023 elections, the party was deeply divided, leading to the suspension of its presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, by the party leadership.
At the heart of the crisis is who controls the party.
Multiple factions claim authority over the national structure, and without an accepted leadership, every decision becomes contested.
There are parallel executives, disputed congresses and ongoing court cases. No camp is willing to back down.
Presently, the party, which is assuming the third force in the nation’s political landscape, erupted in another round of crisis over the party’s alignment with other political forces for the 2027 elections.
It is in efforts to make the platform for a broader opposition coalition made up of politicians from parties like the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and even elements from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
ADC became attractive as a “coalition platform” for opposition figures preparing for 2027.But that created friction: old party loyalists feel displaced. New entrants want control proportional to their influence.
This clash between founders against newcomers is a major destabilizer.
Many original ADC members felt pushed aside.
New entrants are trying to dominate party structures
Many members felt excluded from these decisions, calling them unauthorized, resulting in a “festering” leadership conflict.
Aggrieved members were able to secure a verdict of a Court of Appeal, Abuja, recently directing INEC not to recognise David Mark’s leadership of the party.
