INEC discontinues recognition of David Mark-led ADC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will henceforth cease to recognize either the David Mark-led faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) nor the faction led by Rafiu Bala. According to the electoral body, this decision came following the Court of Appeal judgment on March 12 this year.

In a statement signed by the Chairman, Information and Voter Education, Mohammed Kudu and released today April 1, the electoral umpire said it will also not monitor any meetings, congresses, or conventions of the two groups until the matter at the Federal High Court is decided.

The commission further announced that it would remove the names of David Mark from the INEC portal.

Rafiu Bala, who was the vice chairman of the ADC before the David Mark-led caretaker committee assumed control of the party, approached the courts to challenge the emergence of David Mark and his colleagues at the National Working Committee.

The opposition coalition had, in 2025, adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a political platform to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

This was followed by the former national chairman of the ADC, Ralph Nwosu, formally handing over the party’s membership card to former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who assumed the roles of interim national chairman and national secretary, respectively.

The resignation of the Ralph Nwosu-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the ADC in July 2025 gave rise to the David Mark-led NWC.

However, Nafiu Bala Gombe, the Vice-National Chairman, claimed that following the chairman’s resignation, he automatically ought to take over as chairman.

Bala Gombe instituted Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025 on September 2, 2025, seeking an ex parte injunction restraining Senator David Mark’s group from parading themselves as the leadership of the party.

The motion was heard on September 4, 2025, and the trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, directed that the respondents be put on notice.

The second defendant, Senator David Mark, appealed the order on December 18, 2025.

However, on March 12, 2026, the Court of Appeal in Abuja dismissed the appeal.

Following the ruling, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said the situation influenced its decision to maintain the status quo ante bellum, based on the facts existing prior to September 2, 2025, when the case was originally filed.