KEY POINTS

• The David Mark-led ADC rejected INEC’s interpretation of an appeal court ruling, alleging the commission acted under political pressure.
• INEC said it would suspend engagement with rival ADC factions and maintain the status quo pending determination of the case in court.
• The dispute stems from a 2025 leadership change, with competing claims now subject to ongoing legal proceedings.

The African Democratic Congress faction led by David Mark has rejected the interpretation of a court of appeal ruling by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, regarding the party’s leadership crisis.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Bolaji Abdullahi, national publicity secretary of the party, alleged that the electoral body acted under pressure from the government, which he claimed was unsettled by the rising influence of the ADC and broader opposition momentum.

He said the commission’s position contained contradictions and did not align with facts or reason, adding that the party would provide clarifications to address what it described as inconsistencies in INEC’s interpretation.

According to Abdullahi, the ADC believes INEC yielded to political pressure and sided with the government rather than remaining neutral. He added that the party was reviewing available options and would announce its next steps soon, urging members to remain steadfast as events unfold.

INEC suspends engagement with rival ADC factions

Earlier, INEC said it would no longer accept correspondence from either faction of the party led by Mark or the group associated with Rafiu Bala, following its review of the March 12 judgment of the court of appeal.

The commission also announced that it would refrain from engaging with both factions or monitoring their meetings, congresses and conventions pending the determination of the case before the federal high court.

According to INEC, it received two letters dated March 16, 2026, from opposing factions of the party, each presenting contradictory positions on the leadership dispute.

INEC noted that the current national working committee of the party emerged from a national executive committee meeting held on July 29, 2025, after members of the executive led by Ralph Okey Nwosu resigned and ratified a new leadership headed by Mark.

However, the commission said a senior party official, identified as Gombe, who served as vice-national chairman, denied resigning from the party and argued that he should assume leadership in line with the party’s constitution following Nwosu’s resignation.

The commission added that Gombe approached the federal high court in Abuja on September 2, 2025, seeking an order restraining Mark’s group from parading themselves as national chairman and secretary, and also asking the court to direct INEC to recognise him as acting national chairman.

INEC said the motion ex parte was heard on September 4, 2025, after which the presiding judge, Emeka Nwite, directed the respondents, including INEC, to show cause why the application should not be granted.

The commission further stated that Mark later appealed the order on December 18, 2025, challenging the jurisdiction of the trial court. However, the court of appeal dismissed the appeal on March 12, 2026, and issued preservatory orders.

Following its review, INEC said it would abide strictly by the orders of the court of appeal in handling the dispute. The commission resolved to maintain the status quo ante bellum based on the positions of parties before September 2, 2025, when the case was filed.

INEC added that it would refrain from taking any action capable of prejudicing the proceedings before the trial court or imposing a fait accompli on the court. The commission reaffirmed its commitment to neutrality, impartiality and compliance with judicial directives.