The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally withdrawn recognition from the faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President, David Mark, in compliance with a subsisting Court of Appeal ruling.
The Commission disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, stating that its decision was anchored on the judgment delivered in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026, which involves a leadership tussle between David Mark and Nafiu Bala Gombe.
INEC said it acted following a formal request by Summit Law Chambers, legal representatives to Gombe, who urged the electoral body to enforce the appellate court’s directive and disengage from the Mark-led leadership.
“The Commission was requested to cease recognition of Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Chairman and National Secretary respectively, remove their names from its records, and refrain from further dealings with the faction,” the statement said.
The electoral umpire noted that the Court of Appeal, in its ruling delivered on March 12, 2026, dismissed an interlocutory appeal filed by Mark and issued preservatory orders to protect the substance of the case pending before the Federal High Court.
Quoting the appellate court, INEC stated:
“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 regulate proceedings in the interest of justice.”
However, INEC revealed that the matter remains legally contentious, as it also received a counter-communication from Suleiman Usman, SAN & Co., representing other stakeholders within the ADC.
The legal team cautioned the Commission against recognising Nafiu Bala Gombe as Acting National Chairman, citing an ongoing suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja and warning that the issue of leadership remains sub judice.
“Any action capable of undermining the pending suit should be avoided, as the leadership question within the party is yet to be conclusively determined,” the Commission quoted from the correspondence.
Amid the conflicting legal positions, INEC maintained that its actions were guided strictly by existing court orders and the need to uphold the rule of law.
The Commission also addressed allegations from Gombe’s legal representatives accusing it of prior non-compliance with the appellate court’s directive.
According to INEC, the lawyers alleged that the Commission had earlier engaged with the Mark-led faction by inviting it to a stakeholders’ meeting and monitoring its National Executive Committee proceedings.
“The Commission had acted in disobedience of the Court of Appeal’s orders by engaging with the said faction,” the legal team alleged, demanding the nullification of such interactions.
They further urged INEC to invalidate decisions emanating from the disputed NEC meeting and to suspend all forms of recognition of the faction pending the final determination of the case.
Despite the pressure from opposing sides, INEC reiterated its commitment to neutrality, insisting that it would continue to align its actions with judicial pronouncements.
The latest development marks a significant turn in the protracted leadership crisis within the ADC, effectively sidelining the David Mark-led faction from official recognition—at least for now—pending the outcome of the substantive suit before the Federal High Court.
“The Commission remains committed to the rule of law and will continue to act in strict compliance with court orders as the judicial process unfolds,” INEC affirmed.
