The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has withdrawn recognition of Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Chairman and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) due to an ongoing leadership dispute.
This decision follows the Court of Appeal’s judgment in Suit No. CA/ABJ/145/2026. INEC also stated it will not monitor any congresses or conventions organized by factions loyal to the affected leaders until the Federal High Court decides the main case. Similarly, the commission refused to recognize Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is seeking to assume the party’s national chairmanship through the courts.
In a statement, INEC National Commissioner Mallam Mohammed Kudu Haruna urged political actors to avoid actions that could disrupt preparations for the 2027 general elections. The development is a setback for prominent ADC presidential hopefuls, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rotimi Amaechi.
