The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced a freeze on all activities of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and ordered the removal of the party’s current National Working Committee (NWC) led by Senator David Mark from its portal, in compliance with a Court of Appeal ruling.
In a statement issued Wednesday, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said the Commission took the decision after reviewing the judgment in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026 and ongoing legal disputes over the party’s leadership.
“The Commission resolved to maintain the status quo ante bellum as directed by the Court of Appeal based on the facts and position of the parties existing before 2nd September 2025, when the case was filed,” Haruna stated.
INEC disclosed that it had received conflicting legal communications from parties involved in the dispute. While a letter from Suleiman Usman SAN & Co. urged the Commission not to recognise Mr. Nafiu Bala Gombe as Acting National Chairman due to a pending suit at the Federal High Court, another letter from Summit Law Chambers, representing Gombe, demanded enforcement of the Court of Appeal judgment.
The latter requested, among other actions, that INEC cease recognition of Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Chairman and National Secretary of the party, respectively, and remove their names from its records.
Summit Law Chambers further accused INEC of disobeying court orders by engaging with the Mark-led faction, including inviting the group to a political parties’ meeting on March 24 and monitoring a National Executive Committee meeting.
However, INEC said it would refrain from taking any action that could prejudice the ongoing case before the Federal High Court.
“That the Commission would… refrain from taking any step or doing any act capable of foisting a fait accompli on the court or otherwise rendering nugatory the proceedings before the trial court,” Haruna said.
The Commission also declined requests to recognise Gombe as Acting National Chairman pending the determination of the case.
In a sweeping directive, INEC announced it would suspend all engagements relating to the ADC.
“The Commission shall not… receive any further communication or deal with any of the parties or groups… and will not monitor any Meeting, Congress or Convention convened on behalf of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) by any group until the matter is decided by the Federal High Court, Abuja,” the statement added.
INEC further confirmed that the names of the current NWC members led by Senator David Mark—uploaded on September 9, 2025—would be removed from its portal in line with the Court of Appeal’s order to preserve the status quo.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to neutrality and adherence to the rule of law.
“The Commission reiterates its unwavering commitment to neutrality, impartiality and strict compliance with judicial orders. Political parties and stakeholders are urged to conduct themselves in a manner that does not jeopardise the Electoral Time Table for the 2027 General Election,” Haruna stated.
