Na serious kasala dey for one of Nigeria leading opposition party, African Democratic Congress, as INEC don officially remove di name of former Senate President David Mark as National Chairman from dia portal. Di Independent National Electoral Commission announce dis decision on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, and say dem no go recognise any faction wey dey inside di party for now.
Di whole mata start from court wahala between David Mark camp and Nafiu Bala Gombe camp. Dem dey fight over who be di real chairman of ADC. For July 2025, when popular politicians gather to unveil ADC as dia chosen party to face APC for 2027 election, Ralph Nwosu, di founder of di party, officially handover leadership to David Mark as interim National Chairman. Former Osun state Governor Rauf Aregbesola collect di position of interim National Secretary.
But Nafiu Bala Gombe carry matter go court. E claim say na im suppose be di leader because all oda executive members don resign. E write to court say make INEC no recognise David Mark and im people as leaders of di party. Di matter reach Court of Appeal, and di court rule say make INEC no recognise David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as leaders. Di court also order say make INEC comot dia names from dia portal and no deal wit dem for any party activity.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, explain di commission position. “Since di names of current National Working Committee members wey Senator David Mark bin dey uploaded on 9th September, 2025 by INEC, we go remove di name from di INEC portal,” e tok. “Dis dey according to di Court of Appeal order to maintain status quo til di trial court decide di mata.”
But INEC refuse to allow Nafiu Bala Gombe to take over affairs of ADC. Dem say di commission no go recognise any of di two factions pending di final determination of di substantive suit before Federal High Court. INEC also announce say dem no go monitor any congress or convention by any group inside di party for now.
Lawyers don begin react to INEC decision. Human rights lawyer Barrister Inibehe Effiong fault di commission interpretation of di court order. For post on X, formerly Twitter, Effiong tok say di Court of Appeal ordered parties to maintain status quo ante bellum. Dis mean di state of affairs before di suit before Federal High Court was filed. Since David Mark was di party chairman before di suit was initiated, e suppose remain for im position.
Anoda lawyer, Barrister Festus Ogun, point to Section 83(5) of Electoral Act 2026. Di section expressly state say “no court in Nigeria shall entertain jurisdiction over any suit or matter pertaining to di internal affairs of a political party.” Section 83(6) of di same Act prohibit court from granting interim or interlocutory injunctions. Ogun argue say by virtue of dese sections, court no suppose hear di issue of internal dispute on chairmanship of ADC.
ADC itself reject INEC interpretation. For statement signed by National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, di party describe INEC position as contradictory and inconsistent with facts. Dem warn say di commission don side with government against Nigerians. ADC also post copy of Nafiu Bello Gombe signed letter of resignation from di party as evidence against im claim of being legitimate chairman.
Di party accuse ruling All Progressive Congress of plotting to use INEC to destabilise ADC. Dem say APC resort to desperate tactics to disrupt di party following recent stride of welcoming former governor of Kano state, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to ADC.
INEC latest decision throw big spanner for di works of ADC, wey dey shape up to be leading opposition party. Dis go affect former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former governor of Anambra State Peter Obi, wey both dey expected to contest as di party candidate for 2027 presidential election. Di election dey barely 9 months away.
Mohammed Kudu Haruna of INEC urge political actors to exercise restraint. “Di Commission stand firm for our commitment to neutrality, impartiality and strict compliance wit judicial orders,” e add. Dem say make political parties and stakeholders arrange demselves well-well so e no go scatter di Electoral timetable for 2027 general election.
Di leadership crisis inside ADC don create confusion for many party members. Some dey worry say di internal fight go weaken di party chance for 2027 election. Oda opposition parties dey watch di situation closely as political temperature dey rise ahead of di next general elections.
INEC receive letter dated March 16, 2026, from Suleiman Usman SAN & Co, wey caution against recognising Gombe as acting national chairman while matter remain for court. Dem also confirm receiving separate “Demand for Enforcement” from Summit Law Chambers, representing Gombe, wey call for removal of Mark and Aregbesola from INEC records.
Di conflicting legal positions from rival factions don intensify internal crisis inside ADC. INEC decision to suspend all official dealings wit di party contending groups mean ADC no get recognised leadership for now. Dis go affect di party ability to conduct primaries, select candidates, and participate fully in electoral processes as 2027 dey approach.
Political analysts dey watch to see how di matter go end. Some tok say di court case go take time, and by di time e finish, election don near. Oda analysts believe say di crisis go provide opportunity for oda opposition parties to gain ground as ADC dey struggle wit internal problems.
For now, di fate of African Democratic Congress dey hang for balance. Di party wey many see as strong contender against APC now dey battle for survival as INEC don step back from recognising any of its factions. Di coming weeks go show wetin go happen to di party and wetin dis mean for Nigeria political landscape as 2027 election dey draw closer.
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