- INEC delays ADC leadership recognition due to missing NEC report and signature specimens.
- Former ADC chairman Ralph Nwosu still communicates with INEC despite leadership change.
- New ADC leadership includes David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola, backed by top opposition leaders.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has delayed official recognition of the newly constituted leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by former Senate President David Mark, due to the party’s failure to meet key procedural requirements, The Nation has reliably gathered.
EKO HOT BLOG reports that among the pending issues is the ADC’s delay in submitting the official report of its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting that ratified the emergence of its new leadership. In addition, the electoral commission has not received specimen signatures of the new National Chairman, Senator David Mark, and National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
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Sources familiar with the matter said that despite notifying INEC of the change in leadership, the former ADC National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, has continued to engage with the Commission in official communications, further complicating the transition process.
The ADC leadership held a closed-door meeting with INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, on Tuesday to seek clarification on the delay in their formal recognition. According to insider sources, Yakubu briefed the delegation on what were described as “minor but crucial procedural requirements” yet to be fulfilled.
One source noted:
“There is no issue between INEC and ADC. The Commission simply asked the party to adhere to certain procedural guidelines which are essential.”
The source further explained that members of the ADC delegation, including the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, and even Ralph Nwosu, were present at the meeting. At that point, the party had not yet submitted the NEC report that ratified the new leadership.
“ADC only sent the NEC report on Thursday, and Friday was a public holiday,” he said.
A further challenge, according to the source, is the non-submission of official specimen signatures of Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. The party reportedly cited Senator Mark’s medical trip abroad as the reason for the delay.
“More critically, Ralph Nwosu is still actively representing the party in correspondence with INEC,” the source added. “Although the party informed us of leadership changes, he has continued to sign off on documents, which puts us in a difficult position. Until a formal NEC report was submitted, he remained listed as the National Chairman in our records.”
The source continued:
“You can now understand why INEC is being cautious. Once the party complies fully with the stated requirements, an official statement will be issued. The meeting with ADC was productive and provided clarity.”
When contacted for official comment, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, confirmed the meeting and said discussions were held in good faith.
“The INEC Chairman met with ADC leaders to guide them on how to meet the procedural requirements in line with existing guidelines. Everyone is on the same page,” Oyekanmi said.
The new leadership of ADC, with David Mark as interim national chairman and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary, was announced on July 1. The move is said to be part of a wider political strategy by opposition figures to unite ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The initiative reportedly has the backing of several prominent politicians, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi, and former Sports Minister Bolaji Abdullahi, among others. The goal is to use ADC as a platform to challenge the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
