INEC Confirms ADC Leadership Election, Dismisses Plaintiff Claims

A lawyer representing the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has told a court that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed the legitimacy of the party’s leadership, following a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on July 29, 2025.

In a video widely shared on social media platform X, the counsel said INEC’s position supports the ADC’s claim that Senator David Mark was elected National Chairman and Ogbene Rauf Aregbesola was elected National Secretary during the meeting.

“INEC’s position agrees with us that the party did hold a NEC meeting on the 29th of July 2025, during which Distinguished Senator David Mark and His Excellency, Ogbene Rauf Aregbesola were elected as National Chairman and National Secretary of ADC, respectively,” the lawyer said.

He added that INEC not only acknowledged the meeting but also confirmed its participation. “They also confirmed in their report that they attended the NEC meeting and that the meeting produced Senator David Mark and Aregbesola as National Chairman and National Secretary,” the lawyer stated.

According to him, INEC documented the meeting and attached a report as evidence before the court. “They produced a report, which is the report they attached. So INEC is on the same page with us as far as this matter is concerned,” he said.

The lawyer dismissed the claims by the plaintiff, describing the case as unfounded and lacking evidence. “The plaintiff’s case is speculative, it is premised on gossip; an activity that never existed,” he argued.

He explained that the plaintiff claimed the party leaders emerged on July 22, 2025, but failed to provide proof. “Their argument is that Senator David Mark and Aregbesola emerged on the 22nd of July 2025, and we are saying no, you don’t have any document to prove that,” he said.

In contrast, he said the party has documents to support its position. “We have documents to show that on the 4th of July 2025, the party sent INEC a notice of the NEC meeting to be held on the 29th of July 2025. And on that date, the meeting held. INEC attended and produced a report,” he said.

The lawyer maintained that the evidence before the court clearly supports the party’s position. “While we have evidence before the court to back up our claim that the meeting held on the 29th, they don’t have any document to support their assertion,” he said.

He also questioned the legal standing of the plaintiff to file the case. “What is the locus of the person who filed this matter? He is not an official of the party, he is just a member,” he said.

Citing Supreme Court rulings, the counsel argued that individuals cannot take legal action on internal party matters. “The Supreme Court is very clear that on issues that bother on the internal affairs of a political party, no individual has any right to institute such action, and no court has jurisdiction to entertain it,” he added.