ADC Leadership Crisis Deepens as INEC Withdraws Recognition from Dvid Mark-Led Executive
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it will no longer accept correspondences from either the David Mark-led or the Rafiu Bala-led faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), following a review of the Court of Appeal judgment delivered on March 12, 2026.
In a statement signed by the Chairman, Information and Voter Educaation Committee, Mohammed Kudu, the commission stated that it would also suspend engagement with both groups and refrain from monitoring any meetings, congresses, or conventions organised by either faction until the substantive matter before the Federal High Court is determined.
INEC further disclosed that it would remove the name of Sen. David Mark from its portal.
The dispute arose after Rafiu Bala, who was Vice-National Chairman of the ADC before the emergence of the David Mark-led caretaker committee, approached the court to challenge the leadership structure put in place by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
In 2025, an opposition coalition adopted the ADC as its political platform to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections. This development was followed by the formal handover of the party’s membership card by the former National Chairman, Mr. Ralph Nwosu, to former Senate President Sen. David Mark and former Osun State Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who assumed the roles of Interim National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.
The resignation of the Ralph Nwosu-led NWC in July 2025 paved the way for the emergence of the David Mark-led NWC. However, Nafiu Bala Gombe, the Vice-National Chairman, argued that by virtue of the chairman’s resignation, he ought automatically to assume leadership of the party.
Bala Gombe subsequently instituted Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025 on September 2, 2025, seeking an ex parte injunction restraining Sen. Mark’s group from presenting itself as the party’s leadership. The motion was heard on September 4, 2025, when the trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, directed that the respondents be put on notice.
Sen. Mark, listed as the second defendant, appealed the order on December 18, 2025. However, on March 12, 2026, the Court of Appeal in Abuja dismissed the appeal.
Following the ruling, INEC said the development informed its decision to maintain the status quo ante bellum, based on the facts as they existed prior to September 2, 2025, when the suit was filed.
