ADC Leadership Dispute: INEC Removes David Mark-Led NWC from Portal
Oru Leonard
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced a freeze on all actions relating to the leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), following conflicting legal claims and a recent Court of Appeal ruling.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, INEC said it would maintain the “status quo ante bellum” in line with the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026, involving David Mark and Nafiu Bala Gombe.
The Commission disclosed that it received separate communications from legal representatives of both factions laying claim to the party’s leadership.
While lawyers to Gombe urged INEC to enforce the appellate court’s judgment and recognise him as acting national chairman, counsel to Mark’s faction warned against such recognition, citing a pending suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The dispute stems from leadership changes within the ADC following the resignation of former chairman Ralph Okey Nwosu and the emergence of a National Working Committee (NWC), led by Mark in July 2025. However, Gombe, a former vice-national chairman, has challenged the legitimacy of that process in court.
INEC noted that the Court of Appeal, in its March 12, 2026 judgment, dismissed an interlocutory appeal by Mark and ordered parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit before the Federal High Court.
The court also directed an accelerated hearing of the case and warned against any actions that could undermine judicial proceedings.
At its meeting on March 31, 2026, the Commission resolved to:
– Maintain the status quo as it existed before the suit was filed in September 2025
– Refrain from recognising or dealing with any faction within the ADC
– Decline requests to install Gombe as acting national chairman
– Suspend monitoring of any meetings, congresses, or conventions organised by any faction of the party
– Remove the names of the Mark-led NWC from its official portal
INEC said the removal of the current NWC followed the need to comply strictly with the court’s directive to preserve the situation before the dispute escalated.
The electoral body further stated that it would not receive communications from or engage with any group claiming authority within the ADC until the Federal High Court delivers a final judgment.
“This is to avoid taking any step that could foist a fait accompli on the court,” the Commission said.
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to neutrality, rule of law, and adherence to judicial pronouncements, urging political actors to avoid actions that could disrupt preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The statement was signed by National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna.
