The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has removed David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
Consequently, the commission has suspended the recognition of all factions within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following a deepening leadership crisis.
The action targets the National Chairman and National Secretary positions. It effectively freezes the administrative life of the rising opposition party in Abuja.
Mohammed Haruna, INEC National Commissioner, confirmed the decision. He clarified that the body will not monitor any conventions for now.
“INEC will refrain from monitoring any conventions or congresses organised by groups aligned with the affected leaders,” Haruna stated in an official release.
Furthermore, the commission cited the need to maintain the “status quo ante bellum.” This refers to the state of affairs before the legal suit began in late 2025.
The ruling follows a jolt to the coalition-backed party. It comes only nine months before the 2027 presidential election cycle begins.
Earlier, former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, had warned the party. He alleged that the ADC might not be in a position to field a candidate.
“Supporting or joining ADC may ultimately end up being an exercise in futility for those that insist on treading that thorny path,” he stated.
“I appeal to them to get their house in order, bury their differences and stop taking each other to court,” he added on social media.
Leadership Tussle Triggers INEC Intervention
The crisis stems from the purported resignation of former Chairman Ralph Okey Nwosu in July 2025.
Senator David Mark emerged as the new leader following that transition. However, Nafiu Bala Gombe challenged the development in the Federal High Court.
Gombe argued that as Vice National Chairman, he should have assumed leadership. He sought an order restraining INEC from recognising the new committee.
Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal dismissed an interlocutory appeal on March 12, 2026. It ordered all parties to maintain the previous state of leadership.
INEC stated it received conflicting legal letters from both camps. Consequently, it chose to delist the current executives to protect the integrity of the case.
The commission clarified that it would not acknowledge Nafiu Bala Gombe as chairman either. This avoids prejudice while the substantive suit remains pending.
ADC Alleges Government Pressure On Commission
The African Democratic Congress has rejected the interpretation of the ruling. They allege the electoral body is acting under pressure from the presidency.
Bolaji Abdullahi, the National Publicity Secretary, stated that the commission has caved to a government panicked by opposition momentum.
“We reject INEC’s interpretation of the Court of Appeal ruling,” Abdullahi stated in a formal response on Wednesday.
“We knew that INEC was being pressured by a government that had become jittery from the ADC’s rising momentum,” he alleged.
Furthermore, he described the press statement from the commission as inconsistent. He claimed it flies in the face of both facts and logic.
“What is clear, however, is that INEC has caved to pressure and has chosen to side with the government against the Nigerian people,” he added.
Meanwhile, the party is reviewing its legal options. They urged members to remain steadfast as the 2027 general elections approach.
Legal Experts Protest Against Judicial Interference
Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, questioned the basis of the dispute. He stated that leadership should be an internal matter for the party.
“Dispute over the leadership of a political party is no longer the internal affairs of the political party?” Effiong asked in a public post.
“A Party’s NEC has the authority to decide who should lead the party,” he stated. He added that the court should not compel the party to accept a deputy.
Additionally, he asked if INEC wants President Bola Tinubu to contest unopposed. He stated that this action truncates credible elections.
“It will save the country the billions of ₦aira budgeted for the ‘presidential election’,” he added regarding a potential unopposed race.
Furthermore, human rights lawyer Festus Ogun described the decision as unconstitutional. He alleged it is a way to shrink the political space.
“This country is gone, finished. Courts have no business delving into intra-party disputes,” Ogun stated while reacting to the delisting.
Opposition Alliance Faces Uncertainty Before 2027
The ADC coalition includes prominent figures like Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi. It also features Rabiu Kwankwaso and Nasir el-Rufai.
This alliance was formally unveiled in July 2025. However, internal wrangling now threatens the stability of this multi-party front.
Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola were appointed as interim leaders to manage the transition. Their removal creates a big power vacuum.
Furthermore, Kenneth Okonkwo accused the ruling party of using “charlatans” to ruin the ADC. He spoke during an interview on Channels Television.
“APC went back to him, thinking they could use him to truncate the ADC because they are desperate,” Okonkwo alleged regarding Gombe.
Meanwhile, Dele Momodu compared the situation to the late General Sani Abacha’s era, alleging that the goal is to produce a sole candidate.
“The ultimate aim of Tinubu and his acolytes is to produce a sole candidate in the 2027 Presidential election,” Momodu stated.
He described INEC as a “debilitating albatross” on the nation. Consequently, he argued that the electoral umpire has lost its neutral standing.
The 2026 Electoral Act (section 82) mandates that parties operate through elected organs. The ADC must now prove its processes were valid in court.
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