The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has updated its official portal to reflect a new leadership structure of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), listing David Mark as National Chairman.
Also named on the commission’s website are Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, Mani Ibrahim Ahmad as National Treasurer, Akibu Dalhatu as National Financial Secretary, and Oserheimen Aigberaodion Osunbor as National Legal Adviser.
The development follows a decisive ruling by the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which set aside part of an earlier judgment by the Court of Appeal Nigeria concerning the leadership crisis within the ADC.
In a unanimous decision delivered on Thursday, a five-member panel of the apex court directed all parties involved in the dispute to return to the Federal High Court of Nigeria for the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba affirmed that the trial court acted properly in ordering that all defendants be put on notice regarding the ex parte application filed before it.
“Since the trial court did not grant or refuse the ex parte motion which was brought before it on September 4, 2025, the issue about the jurisdiction of the trial judge cannot be pulled out of thin air,” Mr Garba said, adding that “Therefore, the decision of the Court of Appeal is upheld.”
However, the Supreme Court faulted the appellate court’s directive ordering parties to revert to the status quo ante bellum, ruling that such an order could not be imposed on a matter still pending before a trial court. Justice Garba noted that only the trial court has the authority to issue such a directive in an ongoing case.
The legal tussle originated from a suit filed at the Federal High Court by Nafiu Bala Gombe, an aggrieved member of the ADC, who challenged the emergence of Mr Mark as the party’s National Chairman.
In his suit, Mr Gombe sought an order restraining Mr Mark’s faction from presenting itself as the party’s national leadership and urged the court to compel INEC to recognise him as National Chairman. He also alleged that his signature was forged on a purported resignation letter.
Following the initial proceedings, the Federal High Court directed that Mr Mark’s faction be put on notice. Instead of responding to the substantive matter, the defendants approached the Court of Appeal, challenging the jurisdiction of the trial court.
The appellate court dismissed the appeal and ordered parties to return to the Federal High Court, while also directing all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending resolution of the case.
Reacting to that ruling, INEC had earlier removed Mr Mark and his team from its portal and refrained from recognising any faction within the party.
However, dissatisfied with the appellate court’s decision, Mr Mark’s faction escalated the matter to the Supreme Court, challenging the order on status quo.
With Thursday’s judgment overturning that aspect of the Court of Appeal’s ruling, INEC has now reinstated Mr Mark and members of his executive on its official platform, signaling a significant shift in the electoral body’s position as the legal battle returns to the Federal High Court for final determination.
