- Safiu Kehinde
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has resolved to withdraw its recognition of Sen. David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as the African Democratic Congress’ (ADC) National Chairman and National Secretary respectively.
This is coming after INEC’s review of the ongoing litigation cases over the ADC leadership.
As contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Mohammed Haruna, the commission disclosed the outcome of its meeting held yesterday over the litigation cases.
Having reviewed the cases between the David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) and the Nafiu Bala Gombe faction, INEC resolved to remove Mark and Aregbesola’s name in compliance with the Appeal Court’s ruling.
“Since the names of the current National Working Committee members led by Senator David Mark were uploaded on 9th September, 2025 by INEC (7 days after the suit was instituted), the names would be removed from the INEC portal pursuant to the order of the Court of Appeal.” Haruna stated.
INEC also resolved to refrain from taking any step or doing any act capable of foisting a fait accompli on the court or otherwise in compliance with the Order of the Court of Appeal in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026.
Meanwhile, 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.
It also declared that it shall no longer receive any further communication or deal with any of the parties or groups pertaining 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.
Explaining reasons behind the decision, INEC recalled receiving a letter from Suleiman Usman SAN & Co, urging the commission not to recognise Nafiu as the acting ADC National Chairman on account of the pending before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Another letter from the Summit Law Chambers with an attached certified True Copy of the Appeal Court judgement ordered ceasation of INEC’s recognition of Mark and Aregbesola as National Chairman and National Secretary respectively of ADC;
The judgement also charged commission to remove their names from the portal.
INEC was also ordered in the judgment to refrain from dealing with or recognising any actions taken by them in respect of the party in line with the preservation orders made by the Court of Appeal.
Following the commission’s assessment of the court’s ruling, INEC observed that the current NWC of the ADC emerged from a NEC meeting held on July 29, 2025 following the resignation of the previous executive committee led by Mr Ralph Nwosu.
The commission also observed that Gombe, who was National Vice Chairman, maintained that he did not resign and that by virtue of the party’s constitution, he should assume leadership following the resignation of the Chairman.
“He subsequently filed Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025 on 2nd September 2025, seeking orders to restrain Sen. Mark’s group from parading themselves as party leaders and to compel INEC to recognise him as acting national chairman,” The statement read further.
INEC also noted that the names of the current NWC led by Sen. Mark were uploaded to its portal on September 9, 2025 following a request received on September 4, 2025.
The commission said that after considering the judgment and all relevant processes, it resolved to maintain the situation as it existed before September 2, 2025, when the suit was filed.
NPO Reported earlier that Bolaji Abdulahi, spokesman of the ADC has raised alarm over a protest purported to be orchestrated by the All Progressive Congress (APC) to destabilize the Mark-led leadership of the ADC.