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The 2027 presidential ambitions of leading aspirants on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) suffered a setback yesterday, as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) moved to remove the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its portal as national chairman and national secretary of the party, respectively.
Frontline politicians seeking the ADC presidential ticket include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former Rivers State governor and ex-Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi.
However, INEC said it would also not recognise Nafiu Bala Gombe, who had approached the court seeking to be declared national chairman of the ADC.
In a decisive response to the leadership crisis rocking the party and following the recent judgment of the Court of Appeal in Suit No. CA/ABJ/145/2026, the commission announced that it would cease recognition of both factions and refrain from monitoring any conventions or congresses organised by them, pending the determination of the substantive suit before the Federal High Court.
In a statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mallam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, INEC reiterated its “unwavering commitment to remain impartial and unbiased.”
The commission urged political actors to avoid actions that could jeopardise preparations for the 2027 elections.
While INEC declined a counter-request by Gombe’s lawyers to immediately recognise him as acting national chairman, it assured that the case would be handled expeditiously.
INEC said it had received a letter from the law firm of Suleiman Usman, SAN & Co., dated March 16, 2026, titled: “Re: Notice of Pending Proceedings before the Federal High Court and Caution against any Purported Recognition of Mr Nafiu Bala Gombe as Acting National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).” The crisis escalated following conflicting demands from legal representatives of the rival factions.
The commission also confirmed receiving a “Demand for Enforcement” from Summit Law Chambers, representing Gombe, urging it to stop recognising Mark and Aregbesola, remove their names from its website, and refrain from receiving correspondence from them or attending meetings, congresses, or conventions authorised by their faction.
The demand followed the Court of Appeal’s dismissal of Mark’s interlocutory appeal and the issuance of preservatory orders.
In its ruling, the appellate court emphasised the need to protect the integrity of the judicial process, stating:
“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 that the parties maintain the status quo ante bellum and refrain from taking any step capable of foisting a fait accompli on the court or rendering nugatory the proceedings before the trial court.”
Detailing the dispute, INEC noted that the Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) claimed legitimacy following the resignation of the Ralph Okey Nwosu-led executive in July 2025.
However, Gombe, who described himself as the only remaining National Vice Chairman, disputed this claim, insisting he never resigned and should have automatically assumed leadership as chairman.
He subsequently filed Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, seeking an injunction to restrain the Mark faction from parading itself or continuing to deal with INEC as the party’s national leadership.
