The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is embroiled in a deepening leadership crisis, which escalated dramatically on Wednesday with key interventions from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). INEC announced its decision to remove the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official records as the National Chairman and National Secretary of the party, respectively. Simultaneously, the commission stated it would not recognize Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is actively pursuing party leadership through legal channels. This sweeping decision also includes the suspension of recognition for all conventions and congresses organized by the Mark-Aregbesola faction, a measure that will remain in effect pending the final determination of a substantive suit before the Federal High Court.

INEC clarified that its actions were a direct consequence of the ongoing internal leadership tussle within the ADC and a recent judgment from the Court of Appeal in Suit No. CA/ABJ/145/2026. In a statement issued by National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, INEC reiterated its commitment to maintaining neutrality and being strictly guided by legal processes. Haruna also urged all political actors to avoid actions that could disrupt preparations for the upcoming 2027 general elections. The commission disclosed it had received various legal communications from opposing factions, including a caution from Suleiman Usman (SAN) & Co against recognizing Gombe as acting national chairman and a “Demand for Enforcement” from Summit Law Chambers seeking the removal of Mark and Aregbesola from its portal. Despite these communications, INEC declined Gombe’s legal team’s request for immediate recognition, emphasizing that the matter must be resolved through due process in court.

The ADC vehemently rejected INEC’s interpretation of the Court of Appeal ruling, accusing the commission of capitulating to pressure from a