KEY POINTS
- INEC withdrew recognition of David Mark as ADC national chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary, citing a March 12 Court of Appeal ruling
- The commission suspended all engagement with ADC factions pending resolution of Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025 at the Federal High Court in Abuja
- ADC and PDP spokesmen accused the APC-led government of orchestrating the derecognition; former ADC chair Ralph Nwosu called coverage “fake news”
Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission stripped David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola of their recognized leadership positions in the African Democratic Congress, citing a Court of Appeal order directing restoration of the party’s pre-dispute status.
INEC published a statement confirming it had withdrawn recognition of Mark as ADC national chairman and Aregbesola as national secretary. The commission also suspended all engagement with every ADC faction until a Federal High Court settles the underlying contest.
The Court of Appeal issued its directive on March 12, ordering parties to maintain “status quo ante bellum” pending determination of Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025. Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC vice-national chairman, filed that suit to contest the legitimacy of the Mark-led executive.
Opposition parties challenge INEC’s move
ADC spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi rejected the commission’s action, accusing the APC-led federal government of orchestrating the derecognition to destabilize the opposition. PDP national spokesman Ini Ememobong echoed that claim and accused the ruling party of weaponizing electoral institutions against opposition groups.
Meanwhile, the Obidient Movement’s Yunusa Tanko warned of “catastrophic consequences” for Nigerian democracy. Gombe’s faction, however, commended INEC for complying with the appellate court’s directive. Former ADC chair Ralph Nwosu took a different view, while dismissing coverage of the crisis as “fake news.” APC spokesmen did not respond to requests for comment.
ADC leadership dispute rooted in a contested NEC meeting
Furthermore, the ADC leadership dispute traces to a July 2025 NEC meeting that installed a new national working committee under Mark after the previous ADC executive resigned. Gombe’s camp disputed that meeting’s legitimacy, arguing it lacked authority to constitute new party leadership.
Finally, by securing the March 12 appellate ruling, Gombe’s faction compelled INEC to withhold recognition from Mark and Aregbesola. The commission also said it will restore normal engagement with the ADC once the Federal High Court delivers a definitive verdict on the ADC leadership dispute.
