(INEC Press Release)The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has resolved to maintain the status quo in the leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in compliance with the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026: Senator David Mark v. Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe & Ors.
The decision was taken, after a careful review of the Court of Appeal’s judgment delivered on 12th March 2026 and the ongoing case before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, disclosed this in a statement issued on 1st April 2026.
According to the statement, the Commission had earlier received separate letters dated 16th March 2026 from two law firms representing different interests in the party. Suleiman Usman SAN & Co., writing on behalf of concerned stakeholders within the ADC, cautioned the Commission against recognising Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe as Acting National Chairman while the matter remains before the Federal High Court. On the other hand, Summit Law Chambers, acting for Hon. Gombe, urged the Commission to enforce the Court of Appeal’s judgment by ceasing recognition of Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Chairman and National Secretary of the party, removing their names from INEC’s portal and refraining from dealing with them.
The statement further noted that in another letter dated 27th March 2026, Summit Law Chambers alleged that INEC had disobeyed the Court of Appeal’s orders by inviting Senator David Mark’s group to a political parties’ meeting and by monitoring a purported National Executive Committee meeting convened by the group.
It recalled that in its judgment, the Court of Appeal dismissed the interlocutory appeal filed by Senator David Mark and directed that the parties must maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the determination of the substantive suit before the Federal High Court. The court also ordered an accelerated hearing of the case in view of the Electoral Timetable and warned parties against taking any steps that could prejudice the matter before the trial court.
The Commission observed that the current National Working Committee of the ADC emerged from a National Executive Council meeting held on 29th July 2025 following the resignation of the previous executive committee led by Mr. Ralph Okey Nwosu. Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, who was Vice National Chairman, maintains that he did not resign and that by virtue of the party’s constitution, he should assume leadership following the resignation of the Chairman. He subsequently filed Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025 on 2nd September 2025, seeking orders to restrain Senator David Mark’s group from parading themselves as party leaders and to compel INEC to recognise him as Acting National Chairman.
INEC also noted that the names of the current National Working Committee led by Senator David Mark were uploaded to its portal on 9th September 2025 following a request received on 4th September 2025.
After considering the judgment and all relevant processes, the Commission resolved to maintain the situation as it existed before 2nd September 2025, when the suit was filed. It also resolved to refrain from taking any action that could undermine the proceedings before the Federal High Court. The Commission declined the request to allow Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe to take over the affairs of the party pending the court’s decision.
Furthermore, the statement said the Commission will not receive further communication from, or deal with, any of the contending groups on matters relating to the party’s affairs and will not monitor any meeting, congress or convention convened by any faction of the ADC until the case is determined by the Federal High Court. In line with the directive to maintain the status quo, the Commission will remove from its portal the names of the current National Working Committee members led by Senator David Mark.
The Commission reiterated its commitment to neutrality, impartiality and strict compliance with court orders, and urged political parties and stakeholders to act responsibly so as not to disrupt preparations for the 2027 General Election.