- INEC announced that it would suspend recognition of all factions within the ADC
- The decision comes amid an escalating leadership dispute within the party
- The commission also acknowledged receiving a separate request from Summit Law Chambers
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has delisted the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as National Chairman and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the electoral body also stated that it would not recognise Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is currently pursuing a court case to be declared the party’s national chairman.
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In a statement released on Wednesday, INEC announced that it would suspend recognition of all factions within the AD and refrain from monitoring any conventions or congresses organised by groups linked to the rival leadership camps.
The commission explained that this position would remain until a final ruling is delivered in a substantive case before the Federal High Court.
The decision comes amid an escalating leadership dispute within the party, further complicated by a recent judgment of the Court of Appeal in Suit No. CA/ABJ/145/2026.
Addressing the issue, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, emphasised that the commission remains neutral in the matter.
He called on political stakeholders to act responsibly and avoid steps that could disrupt preparations for the 2027 general elections.
INEC revealed that it had received a letter dated March 16, 2026, from Suleiman Usman SAN & Co, advising against recognising Gombe as acting chairman while the case is still before the court.
The commission also acknowledged receiving a separate request from Summit Law Chambers, representing Gombe, which demanded the removal of Mark and Aregbesola from its records and urged INEC to disengage from them.
The conflicting legal claims from opposing factions have deepened the internal crisis within the ADC, prompting INEC to temporarily halt all official interactions with the party’s rival groups pending judicial resolution.
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