- The Nafiu Bala-led faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has formally asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to derecognize the leadership of David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
- The Court of Appeal recently dismissed an appeal by David Mark, directing all parties to maintain the “status quo” pending the outcome of the substantive legal battle at the Federal High Court.
- The APC and Presidency have dismissed allegations from the ADC camp suggesting they are pressuring INEC to deregister the party to clear the path for President Tinubu in 2027.
Following a recent Court of Appeal ruling in Abuja, Bala’s legal team has petitioned INEC to stop recognizing former Senate President David Mark as Chairman and former Minister Rauf Aregbesola as Secretary.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the legal battle stems from the resignation of the former chairman, Ralph Nwosu. Bala, a former Deputy National Chairman, insists he is the rightful successor.
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While a Federal High Court had previously declined Bala’s immediate request to derecognize the Mark-led leadership, the Court of Appeal recently dismissed Mark’s challenge to that proceeding on procedural grounds.
Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam, leading the appellate panel, ordered all parties to return to the “status quo ante bellum” while the main suit continues.
The crisis has taken a highly political turn, with some ADC elements alleging a “Presidency plot” to destabilize the party.
Factional leaders claimed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Presidency are pressuring INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu to deregister the ADC.
They alleged this is a strategic move to prevent credible opposition figures, including the likes of Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi from using the ADC platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections.
The APC has wasted no time in dismissing these claims as “wild allegations” and “gaslighting.” APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, stated that the ruling party has no business with the ADC’s internal litigation.
He argued that it is irresponsible to blame the President for a crisis fueled by the ADC’s own inability to follow due process in its leadership transitions.
“The Presidency is too busy with serious matters to get involved in a political party that has not even taken off,” Basiru remarked, urging the ADC to respect the court’s directive.
As it stands, INEC finds itself caught between two heavy-hitting legal arguments.
While Bala’s camp argues that the “status quo” means reverting to the leadership before Mark’s appointment, the current NWC counsel, Dr. Sulaimon Usman (SAN), argues that the status quo refers to the leadership structure recognized by INEC during the July 2025 NEC meeting.
