INEC removes David Mark-led ADC NWC from portal, ceases recognition of factions pending court decision

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the removal of the Senator David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) from its portal, citing an order from the Court of Appeal.

In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, said the commission will no longer receive communications or engage with any faction regarding the party’s affairs.

It also stated that it would not monitor any meeting, congress, or convention convened on behalf of the ADC until the matter is resolved by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Haruna explained that the decision was taken to avoid foisting a fait accompli on the court or rendering the ongoing proceedings nugatory.

He noted that the commission had received conflicting legal demands. One letter from the law firm of Suleiman Usman, SAN & Co., dated March 16, 2026, requested that INEC not recognise Mr. Nafiu Bala Gombe as acting National Chairman due to pending litigation in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025. Another letter from Summit Law Chambers, also dated March 16, 2026, attached a certified true copy of the Court of Appeal judgment in Suit No. CA/ABJ/145/2026 and demanded that INEC stop recognising Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively, and remove their names from the commission’s website.

A subsequent letter from Summit Law Chambers on March 27, 2026, accused INEC of violating the Court of Appeal’s orders by inviting the Mark-led group to a political parties meeting on March 24, 2026, and monitoring its National Executive Committee meeting.

Haruna recalled that the Court of Appeal, after dismissing Mark’s appeal in the interlocutory matter, issued preservatory orders to protect the integrity of the substantive suit pending before the Federal High Court. The appellate court directed the parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum and refrain from any action capable of prejudicing the trial court’s proceedings. It also ordered accelerated hearing of the case.

Following a meeting on March 31, 2026, INEC resolved to adhere strictly to the Court of Appeal’s directive. Accordingly, the commission decided to maintain the status quo as it existed before September 2, 2025—when the suit was filed. It refused a request to allow Gombe to take over the party’s affairs and declined to engage with any faction or monitor their activities until the Federal High Court delivers its judgment.

INEC noted that although the names of the David Mark-led NWC were uploaded to its portal on September 9, 2025—seven days after the suit was instituted—they would now be removed in line with the Court of Appeal’s order to preserve the status quo ante bellum.

The commission reaffirmed its commitment to impartiality and urged all political parties to avoid actions that could disrupt the 2027 election timetable.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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