Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has removed the African Democratic Congress (ADC) leadership committee headed by David Mark from its official digital portal. The regulatory action follows a Court of Appeal directive requiring all stakeholders to preserve existing party structures while the Federal High Court in Abuja adjudicates an ongoing intra-party leadership dispute.
In a public clarification, INEC stated the decision resulted from a comprehensive review of the March 12, 2026, appellate judgment in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026. The court dismissed an interim appeal filed by the Mark-aligned faction and ordered all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the outcome of the substantive suit. The appellate panel also directed an accelerated hearing schedule and cautioned against administrative actions that could undermine the judicial process.
The commission disclosed that it had received competing legal notices from attorneys representing both rival ADC factions. One group urged INEC to decline recognition of Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former vice-national chairman who asserts constitutional authority to assume the acting national chairmanship, citing the unresolved litigation. The other faction demanded immediate implementation of the appellate ruling, including formal withdrawal of recognition from the Mark-led National Working Committee. In response, INEC suspended all official engagement with the party, including monitoring of congresses and internal meetings, until the court issues a final determination.
The administrative conflict traces back to July 2025, when the ADC’s previous executive leadership resigned, creating a vacuum that paved the way for the Mark-led committee to assume operational control. INEC explained that the portal modification was strictly a compliance step, clarifying that the Mark administration’s details were uploaded after legal action had already commenced. The electoral commission explicitly declined to recognize Gombe as interim chairman, emphasizing adherence to the appellate order and strict regulatory neutrality.
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to impartial oversight and urged political actors to avoid moves that could disrupt institutional preparations for the 2027 general elections. The leadership dispute remains active before the Federal High Court, with the commission indicating that formal administrative engagement with the ADC will resume only following a conclusive judicial resolution.
