In a recent interview with Daily Independent on Thursday, April 9, 2026, Alex Adum, former Attorney General of Benue State and a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its recent decision on the party’s leadership.
Adum stated that INEC’s action does not restore the status quo ante bellum as intended by the Court of Appeal, before the legal dispute, Senator David Mark, the national chairman of the ADC, was not disadvantaged.
He explained that INEC’s decision has now placed Mark in a weaker position, the commission did not return him to the situation that existed before Nafiu Bala went to court, instead, the decision has created a situation that contradicts the court’s ruling and undermines Mark’s leadership.
According to Adum, the purpose of status quo ante bellum is to maintain the order of things before the conflict reached the court, INEC’s action has gone beyond this, resulting in an unfair disadvantage for Mark.
Adum stated that the court never intended for Mark to be placed in a weaker position, the ruling was meant to preserve the leadership structure and stability within the ADC, not to change it.
He noted that the decision could have serious consequences for the party, it may affect the ADC’s ability to function smoothly and maintain unity among its members.
Adum urged INEC to reconsider its approach and respect the court’s ruling, he highlighted the need for proper adherence to the law to ensure fairness and stability within the party.
”So what INEC has done now is not to restore the status quo ante bellum but is to ensure that David Mark is disadvantaged. But before Nafiu Bala went to court, David Mark was not disadvantaged. So you are not putting David Mark where he was before Nafui Bala went to court,” he said.
... What INEC Has Done Isnt To Restore Status Quo Ante Bellum But To Ensure David Mark Disadvantage—Adum ... Sportify Post.