INEC Maintains Status Quo in ADC Leadership Dispute, Removes David Mark-Led NWC from Portal

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will maintain the status quo in the leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC), following a ruling by the Court of Appeal.

In a statement issued on April 1, 2026, INEC confirmed it had received conflicting legal representations from factions loyal to David Mark and Nafiu Bala Gombe, both laying claim to the party’s leadership.

While one legal team urged the Commission not to recognise Gombe as acting national chairman due to a pending case at the Federal High Court, another demanded enforcement of the Court of Appeal judgment, including the removal of Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as national chairman and secretary of the party.

Court Ruling and INEC’s Response

INEC said the Court of Appeal, in its March 12, 2026 judgment in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026, dismissed an interlocutory appeal filed by Mark and ordered all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the determination of the substantive suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The court also directed an accelerated hearing of the case, citing the proximity of the electoral timetable.

Based on this, INEC said it would refrain from taking any action that could prejudice the outcome of the case.

“As a result, the Commission will not recognise any faction or leadership of the ADC pending the final determination of the matter,” the statement said.

How the Crisis Began

The leadership dispute dates back to July 2025, when a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the ADC produced a new National Working Committee (NWC) led by David Mark following the reported resignation of the previous executive led by Ralph Okey Nwosu.

However, Gombe, who was the party’s Vice National Chairman, rejected the process. He argued that he never resigned and should automatically assume leadership in line with the party’s constitution after the chairman’s exit.

In September 2025, Gombe approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking orders to:

– Restrain Mark’s group from parading themselves as party leaders

– Stop INEC from recognising them

– Compel the Commission to recognise him as acting national chairman

The case (FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025) remains pending.

Escalation and Legal Push

Following the Court of Appeal ruling, both factions intensified efforts to secure recognition from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The camp of Nafiu Bala Gombe accused the Commission of disobeying court orders by engaging with the faction led by David Mark. Specifically, the legal team cited INEC’s invitation to Mark’s group for a political parties’ meeting and its monitoring of a party meeting held in March 2026.

The group also asked INEC to invalidate actions taken by Mark’s faction and allow Gombe to assume control of the party pending the court’s decision.

On the other hand, Mark’s faction continued to notify INEC of party activities, including scheduled congresses and a proposed national convention.

The faction also alleged external interference in the crisis. It claimed that elements linked to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were attempting to pressure INEC into taking actions that could destabilise the ADC.