In what appears like bowing to pressure from unseen hands, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, suspended its recognition of Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as National Chairman and Secretary respectively of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Professor Joash Amupitan-led INEC said it act based on the decision of the Court of Appeal which held that the status quo ante should be maintained pending the final determination of the case instituted by the former National Vice Chairman of the ADC, Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is seeking legitimacy through the court after he was believed to have tendered his resignation letter along with other members of the National Working Committee of the Party.
While withdrawing its recognition of Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola, INEC also stated that it would also not give recognition to Nafiu Bala Gombe, thus announced a blanket suspension of recognition, effectively freezing the party’s leadership structure and halting its political activities.
The commission particularly declared that it would not monitor any conventions or congresses organised by either the David Mark-led of Gome factions within the party until the leadership dispute is conclusively resolved by the Court.
INEC said its decision was predicated on a recent judgment of the Court of Appeal in Suit No. CA/ABJ/145/2026.
The commission’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, claimed that the electoral umpire’s position was guided strictly by neutrality and respect for due process, thus cautioned political actors against escalating tensions in ways that could undermine preparations for the 2027 general elections.
INEC further said that it received a letter dated March 16, 2026, from Suleiman Usman SAN & Co, warning against recognising Gombe as acting chairman while litigation is ongoing, adding that in contrast, Summit Law Chambers, representing Gombe, issued a “Demand for Enforcement,” urging the commission to expunge the names of Mark and Aregbesola from its records and cease all official dealings with them.
Haruna explained that faced with the competing claims, the commission took the option of disengaging completely from the dispute, stressing that only a clear judicial pronouncement can determine the ADC’s legitimate leadership.
The implication of the position of INEC for the ADC are far reaching as the opposition party may have to remain in the limbo as it would not be able to conduct valid congresses or conventions under INEC supervision.
