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INEC de-recognizes David Mark-led ADC, awaits court’s decision to recognize either faction
Following a review of an Appeal Court judgment on March 12 2026, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it would no longer accept correspondences from the David Mark-led African Democratic Congress (ADC).
This was contained in a statement signed by the Chairman, Information and Voter Education, Mohammed Kudu, who said until the case at the Federal High Court is decided, the commission would cease to engage with either faction.
The commission which had been dealing with the David Mark-led faction, said it would not monitor any meetings, congresses, or conventions of either group, noting it would henceforth omit the names of the David Mark-led NWC members from its portal.
INEC stated that the appellate court, in its March 12 judgement directed all parties to maintain the status quo before the dispute was lodged.
“That the Commission would, in accordance with the Order of the Court of Appeal in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026 refrain from taking any step or doing any act capable of foisting a fait accompli on the court or otherwise rendering nugatory the proceedings before the trial court, having regard to all the processes filed before the trial Court”, INEC said.
It stated that, in line with the court order, the names of the David Mark-led NWC members would be removed from its portal pending the resolution of the matter.
“Since the names of the current National Working Committee members led by Senator David Mark were uploaded on 9th September, 2025 by INEC (7 days after the suit was instituted), the names would be removed from the INEC portal pursuant to the order of the Court of Appeal to maintain the status quo ante bellum until the matter is decided by the trial court,” it said.
The commission also stated it cannot recognize Nafiu Bala as the acting national chairman, as doing that would violate the court’s directive.
The resignation of the Ralph Nwosu-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the ADC led to the emergence of the David Mark-led NWC.
Nafiu Bala, who was vice chairman of the ADC before the David Mark-led caretaker committee assumed control of the party, challenged the emergence of the David Mark-led body as National Working Committee of the party, claiming that, following the chairman’s resignation, the chairmanship position ought to have been automatically transfered to him.
He instituted a suit on September 2, 2025, seeking to restrain the David Mark-led NWC from parading themselves as the party’s leadership.
The motion was heard on September 4, 2025, with the trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, directing that respondents be put on notice.
David Mark who is a second defendant in the suit appealed the order on December 18, 2025, which the Court of Appeal in Abuja dismissed on March 12, 2026.
INEC in its review of the judgement, said it would maintain the status quo based on the facts existing, prior to when the case was originally filed on September 2, 2025.
