INEC drops David Mark, Aregbesola from ADC list, freezes party activities

• The Independent National Electoral Commission has removed the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as ADC leaders
• The decision follows a Court of Appeal ruling ordering all parties to maintain “status quo ante bellum”
• The Commission announced it will not monitor any ADC congresses or conventions until the court gives a final judgment

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has removed the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as National Chairman and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The Commission also declined to recognise Honourable Nafiu Bala Gombe, who had approached the court seeking to assume the role of national chairman.

The move follows the deepening leadership crisis within the party and a recent ruling by the Court of Appeal in Suit No. CA/ABJ/145/2026.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, April 1, INEC said it would no longer recognise any faction within the party and would refrain from monitoring conventions or congresses organised by the groups involved, pending the outcome of the substantive suit before the Federal High Court.

The statement, signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mallam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, reaffirmed the Commission’s neutrality.

INEC stated its “unwavering commitment to remain impartial and unbiased,” urging political stakeholders to avoid actions capable of disrupting preparations for the 2027 general elections.

While rejecting a counter-request from Gombe’s legal team seeking his immediate recognition as chairman, the Commission assured that the case would be handled promptly.

The electoral body disclosed that it had received a letter from Suleiman Usman SAN & Co, dated March 16, 2026, titled: “Re: Notice of Pending Proceedings before the Federal Highway Court and Caution against any Purported Recognition of Mr Nafiu Bala Gombe as Acting National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress ADC.”

It also confirmed receiving a separate “Demand for Enforcement” from Summit Law Chambers, representing Gombe, urging INEC to: “Stop recognising Senator David Mark or and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as the National Chairman and National Secretary of African Democratic Congress ADC, remove their names from INEC Website and refrain from receiving any correspondences from them or attending any of their meetings, congress or convention ordered or authorised by them.”

The demand followed the dismissal of Mark’s interlocutory appeal by the Court of Appeal and the issuance of preservatory orders.

Quoting the court, INEC stated:

“Finally, it is necessary to make preservatory orders to ensure that the subject matter of the dispute pending before the trial court is not prejudiced as Courts have inherent powers to control and regulate proceedings to ensure justice… IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AS FOLLOWS: That the parties are hereby directed to maintain the status quo ante bellum and shall refrain from taking any step or doing any act capable of foisting a fait accompli on the court or otherwise rendering nugatory the proceedings before the trial court.”

Providing background, INEC noted that the National Working Committee led by Mark claimed legitimacy after the resignation of the Ralph Okey Nwosu-led executive in July 2025.

However, Gombe, who identified himself as the only remaining National Vice Chairman, challenged the arrangement, arguing that he never resigned and should automatically assume leadership.

He subsequently filed Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025 at the Federal High Court, seeking to restrain the Mark-led group from “parading themselves, dealing or continuing to deal with INEC as National Chairman and Secretary.”

Following an internal review meeting, INEC resolved to “maintain the status quo ante bellum as directed by the Court of Appeal based on the facts and position of the parties existing before 2nd September 2025, when the case was filed by the plaintiff.”

Explaining its decision to remove the affected names from its portal, the Commission said:

“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 to maintain the status quo ante bellum until the matter is decided by the trial court.”

INEC further announced a total suspension of engagement with all factions within the party.

It said:

“The Commission shall not, given the reliefs claimed in the originating summons and the pending motions, 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.”