A faction of the African Democratic Congress led by its National Chairman, Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to immediately remove the names of Senator David Mark and members of his National Working Committee from the commission’s portal, citing a court judgment.
The faction maintained that the judgment directed INEC to withdraw recognition from the David Mark-led National Working Committee and nullified all decisions, resolutions and actions taken by the committee.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Gombe urged the electoral umpire to upload and recognise only what he described as the authentic National Working Committee of the party in compliance with the court’s directive.
He said, “The legitimate leadership of the African Democratic Congress, under the guidance of Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, hereby calls on the Independent National Electoral Commission to immediately remove the names of Senator David Mark and the members of his NWC from the Commission’s portal.
“INEC is further requested to upload and recognise only the authentic members of the National Working Committee of the ADC, in strict compliance with the judgment of the court. The judgment directed INEC to withdraw recognition from the David Mark-led NWC and invalidates all decisions, resolutions and actions taken by that committee.”
The faction also warned former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar against presenting himself as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
It insisted that Atiku had neither been nominated nor endorsed as the ADC’s presidential flag bearer.
Gombe said, “We reiterate our earlier position that His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, is not and has never been the Presidential Candidate of the ADC for the 2027 General Elections.
“We urge him to refrain forthwith from using the party’s name, logo and emblem in spreading falsehoods and misinformation about the African Democratic Congress.”
The faction further issued Atiku a seven-day ultimatum to tender a public apology to members and stakeholders of the party over what it described as unauthorised statements made on behalf of the ADC.
It warned that failure to comply with the demand would leave it with no option than to seek legal redress.
The group also called on the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services to investigate the activities of Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi.
According to the statement, the security agencies should ensure his arrest and prosecution over alleged dissemination of false information capable of misleading the public and inciting unrest.