Follow Us on Google
From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it will no longer recognise the David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the opposition coalition party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The commission, in a statement by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, said the decision was in relation to a court ruling surrounding the national leadership of the party.
INEC further emphasised that it was acting in line with the court ruling that the Vice-National Chairman of the coalition party, Nafiu Bala Gombe, was to take over the leadership from Ralph Nwosu after his resignation as National Chairman of the party.
According to the resolution, the commission noted, “Given the above scenario, at the meeting of the commission on Tuesday, 31st March, 2026, the commission resolved as follows: To maintain the status quo ante bellum as directed by the Court of Appeal based on the facts and position of the parties existing before 2nd September 2025, when the case was filed by the plaintiff.
“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.
“The commission refused to accede to the request of the Plaintiff’s Solicitors to allow Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe to take over the affairs of ADC pending the determination of the case.
“The commission shall not, given the reliefs claimed in the Originating Summons and the pending motions, receive any further communication or deal with any of the parties or groups pertaining to the affairs of the party and will not monitor any meeting, congress or convention convened on behalf of the ADC by any group until the matter is decided by the Federal High Court, Abuja, so as not to do any act capable of foisting a fait accompli on the court or otherwise rendering nugatory the proceedings before the trial court.
“Since the names of the current NWC members led by Senator David Mark were uploaded on September 9, 2025 by INEC (seven 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,” the commission noted in the statement.
Making further clarification, the electoral umpire noted, “The commission reiterates its unwavering commitment to neutrality, impartiality and strict compliance with judicial orders. Political parties and stakeholders are urged to conduct themselves in a manner that does not jeopardise the Electoral timetable for the 2027 general election.”
While highlighting its observations, INEC noted, “The commission, after careful consideration of the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026 and the processes filed by the parties in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025 pending before the Federal High Court in Abuja, wishes to observe as follows:
“That the NWC being following the National Executive Council Meeting of 29th July, 2025, after all the Mr Ralph Okey Nwosu Exco Members resigned and ratified the appointment of the present members of the NWC led by Senator David Mark.
“That Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, who was the Vice-National Chairman, denied he ever resigned from the party and claimed that, following the resignation of the Chairman of the party, Mr. Ralph Okey Nwosu, he, Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, automatically ought to take over as Chairman of the party, being the only Vice-National Chairman left behind in accordance with the constitution of the party.
“That Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, through an Originating Summons, instituted Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025 before the Federal High Court in Abuja on 2nd September, 2025 for an order of injunction restraining Senator David Mark’s group (2nd & 3rd Defendants) from parading themselves, dealing or continuing to deal with INEC as National Chairman and Secretary of the 1st Defendant (ADC), an order restraining INEC from recognising, dealing with or continuing to deal with the 2nd and 3rd Defendants as the National Chairman and Secretary of the 1st Defendant (ADC), an order directing INEC to recognise the Plaintiff (Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe) as the acting National Chairman of the 1st Defendant (the ADC), an order of the Honourable Court restraining INEC from parading the 2nd and 3rd Defendants (Senator David Mark’s group) as officials of the 1st Defendant (ADC), etc.
“Along with the Originating Summons were Motion Ex Parte and Motion on Notice restraining INEC from recognising Senator David Mark’s group. The motion ex parte was heard on 4th September, 2025, and the trial Judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, directed that the Respondents, including INEC, be put on notice to show cause why the Motion Ex Parte should not be granted.
“The 2nd Defendant (Senator David Mark) decided to appeal against the order of Nwite, J. on 18th December, 2025 to the Court of Appeal, Abuja, challenging the jurisdiction of the trial court. On 12th March, 2026, the Court of Appeal in Abuja (six months after the appeal was filed) dismissed the appeal of the 2nd Defendant and, in addition, made the above-quoted preservatory orders.
“The Plaintiff also filed another Motion Ex Parte and Motion on Notice on 15th September, 2025 before the trial court seeking to prevent the 1st Defendant (ADC) from holding, convening or summoning any convention, congress, conference or meeting and to stop the 4th Defendant (INEC) from attending, monitoring, observing or recognising any activities organised by the 1st Defendant pending the determination of the suit.
“That after the judgment of the Court of Appeal, the commission received letters from the solicitors to Senator David Mark’s group and Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, making claims and counterclaims to the leadership of the party and making several demands on INEC.
“That the commission also received on 31st March, 2026, a letter dated 28th March, 2026, from Senator David Mark’s group notifying the commission of the schedule of ADC congresses and National Convention, as well as the revised schedule of activities earlier contained in their letter of 27th February, 2026.
“The request, through a letter dated 29th July, 2025, for the submission of the names of the new principal officers of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for upload on the Commission’s portal was received by INEC on 4th September, 2025, and it was approved by INEC on 9th September, 2025,” it explained.
