The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has withdrawn recognition of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), intensifying the party’s leadership crisis ahead of the 2027 general election.
The electoral umpire said it would no longer recognise or engage with any faction within the party until the courts deliver a final judgment on the dispute.
The decision effectively creates a leadership vacuum in the opposition party, which has recently positioned itself as a potential coalition platform.
INEC also removed the names of Senator David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, and other NWC members from its official portal, replacing them with a notice indicating compliance with a court order.
The commission further clarified that it would not recognise the leadership of factional chairman Nafiu Bala Gombe or monitor any meetings, congresses, or conventions organised by any group within the party, pending the resolution of the case before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
According to INEC, the decision was taken in strict adherence to a judgment of the Court of Appeal, which directed all parties to maintain the “status quo ante bellum” — the state of affairs before the commencement of the suit filed in September 2025.
INEC explained that recognising any faction or engaging in party activities at this stage could amount to imposing a fait accompli on the court and undermine ongoing judicial proceedings. It added that it had declined requests to allow Gombe to assume leadership of the party pending the determination of the case.
The commission said it received conflicting legal correspondences from both camps on March 16, 2026. While one set of lawyers urged it not to recognise Gombe due to the subsisting suit, another demanded enforcement of the appellate court’s ruling, including the removal of Mark’s leadership from its records.
INEC noted that further correspondence accused it of disobeying court orders by previously engaging with Mark’s faction, including inviting it to a political party’s meeting and monitoring a National Executive Committee meeting.
After reviewing the legal processes and court pronouncements, the commission resolved to remove the names of the Mark-led NWC, which had been uploaded in September 2025, and suspend all dealings with any faction until the matter is conclusively determined.
The ADC, however, rejected INEC’s interpretation of the court ruling, describing the commission’s action as contradictory and politically influenced. The party’s spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, alleged that INEC had succumbed to external pressure and taken sides against the opposition.
He maintained that the commission’s position misrepresented the facts of the case and vowed that the party would explore all available legal options. Abdullahi also called on party members and supporters to remain calm while awaiting further directives.
Tensions escalated further as a faction loyal to Gombe staged a protest at INEC headquarters in Abuja, demanding his recognition as national chairman and urging the commission to comply with the Court of Appeal judgment.
Protest leaders warned that failure to obey court orders could erode public trust in democratic institutions and undermine the rule of law. They insisted that all parties must adhere strictly to judicial directives pending the outcome of the substantive suit.
The leadership crisis within the ADC has its roots in longstanding internal disputes, including disagreements over leadership succession, party structure, and the influx of new political actors seeking to reposition the party ahead of 2027.
Multiple factions have since emerged, each laying claim to legitimacy, while parallel congresses and legal battles have further fractured the party. The dispute has been compounded by tensions between founding members and newer entrants pushing for broader opposition alliances.
