INEC Removes David Mark-Led ADC Leadership from Portal Over Court Order

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has removed the names of the National Working Committee of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President, David Mark, from its official portal, citing compliance with a ruling of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria.

INEC disclosed that the action was taken to enforce the appellate court’s directive in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026, which ordered parties in the dispute to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the determination of the substantive case before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The development was announced in a statement issued on April 1, 2026, by the Commission’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna.

According to INEC, the removal of the ADC leadership from its portal reflects the need to preserve the situation as it existed before the commencement of the legal dispute, in line with the court’s directive.

The Commission explained that it had received conflicting communications from legal representatives of the opposing factions within the party. While one group cautioned against recognising Nafiu Bala Gombe as Acting National Chairman due to the pending court case, another urged INEC to enforce the judgment by withdrawing recognition of Mark’s leadership.

INEC said after reviewing the Court of Appeal judgment alongside processes before the Federal High Court of Nigeria, it resolved to maintain neutrality and refrain from taking actions that could prejudice the case.

“The names of the current National Working Committee members led by Senator David Mark would be removed from the Commission’s portal pursuant to the order of the Court of Appeal,” the statement said.

The Commission further stated that it would not recognise any faction of the party or entertain additional correspondence relating to its leadership until the court delivers a final judgment.

It also rejected calls to allow Gombe assume interim leadership of the party, stressing that doing so would amount to taking sides in a matter already before the court.

INEC noted that the dispute dates back to the resignation of the party’s previous leadership in July 2025 and the subsequent emergence of a new executive led by Mark, which was later challenged in court by Gombe.

Reaffirming its commitment to neutrality, the Commission urged political stakeholders to avoid actions capable of undermining the judicial process or disrupting preparations for the 2027 general elections.