The removal of the names of ADC’s key national officers from the party will undoubtedly deal a huge blow to the party and will halt the massive momentum it has begun to gain ahead of the 2027 presidential election following the defection of prominent and influential politicians to the party
The names of the national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark, and the party’s National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, have been expunged from the official portal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The commission disclosed that the decision is not unconnected to the ongoing court cases over the leadership tussle between the two factions of the party.
It made the disclosure in a statement issued by its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mallam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, on Wednesday.
The commission also said it would not recognise Nafiu Bala Gombe’s faction of the party, as Bala is seeking to be declared national chairman through the courts.
According to the statement, the electoral umpire will refrain from further recognition of all factions within the party and will not be monitoring any conventions or congresses organised by groups aligned with the affected leaders.
The decision, it said, will remain in place pending the final determination of a substantive suit before the Federal High Court.
The development follows a recent judgment of the Court of Appeal in Suit No. CA/ABJ/145/2026, which has further worsened the dispute.
Haruna stated that the Commission remains committed to neutrality and urged political stakeholders to desist from actions that could disrupt preparations for the 2027 general elections.
INEC disclosed that it had received a letter dated March 16, 2026, from Suleiman Usman SAN & Co, warning against any recognition of Nafiu Bala Gombe as acting national chairman while legal proceedings are ongoing.
The Commission also confirmed receiving a separate “Demand for Enforcement” from Summit Law Chambers, representing Gombe, which called for the removal of Mark and Aregbesola from INEC’s records and urged the Commission to stop engaging with them or recognising any activities conducted under their authority.
The conflicting legal demands from the rival factions have deepened the party’s internal crisis, prompting INEC to halt all official dealings with the contending groups until the courts resolve the matter.
The removal of the names of ADC’s key national officers from the party will undoubtedly deal a huge blow to the party and will halt the massive momentum it has begun to gain ahead of the 2027 presidential election following the defection of prominent and influential politicians to the party. The hopes of many Nigerians who are elated and upbeat about the recent political inroads and successes recorded by the party may also be shattered.
