The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it will no longer recognise the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by David Mark, citing ongoing court proceedings and the need to comply with judicial directives.
In a statement issued on April 1, 2026, INEC said its decision followed the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026 involving Mark and Nafiu Bala Gombe.
The Commission said it had received conflicting communications from the two factions laying claim to the party’s leadership. While one side urged it not to recognise Gombe due to a pending suit, the other demanded enforcement of the appellate court’s ruling, including the withdrawal of recognition for Mark and his executive.
INEC noted that the Court of Appeal, in its March 12, 2026 judgment, dismissed an interlocutory appeal filed by Mark and directed all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the determination of the substantive suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Acting on the ruling, the Commission said it would withdraw recognition of the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Mark and remove its members’ names from the Commission’s official portal.
INEC further stated that it would refrain from recognising or dealing with any faction within the party and would not monitor or acknowledge any meetings, congresses, or conventions organised by either group pending the court’s final determination.
The Commission also reiterated that it declined requests to install Gombe as acting national chairman, maintaining that doing so would violate the court’s directive to preserve the pre-dispute situation.
The leadership crisis in the ADC arose following the resignation of former chairman Ralph Okey Nwosu and the emergence of a new executive led by Mark, a development challenged by Gombe, who insists he should assume leadership in line with the party’s constitution.
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to neutrality and adherence to the rule of law, urging political stakeholders to avoid actions that could undermine the judicial process or affect preparations for the 2027 general elections.