The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has created a significant political vacuum by removing the names of Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as the National Chairman and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), respectively.
Announced on Wednesday, this decision effectively “freezes” the party’s leadership recognition. INEC stated it will refrain from monitoring any conventions or congresses organized by any faction until a definitive court ruling resolves the party’s internal crisis.
The Legal Trigger: CA/ABJ/145/2026
INEC’s move stems from a deepening dispute between the newly formed “Third Force” coalition and a faction led by Nafiu Bala Gombe.
- Court Mandate: The Court of Appeal recently ordered all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum. INEC interpreted this as a requirement to revert to a state where no disputed leader is officially recognized.
- The Gombe Challenge: Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman, has challenged the transition that brought Mark and Aregbesola to power, claiming he is the legitimate acting chairman.
- The Resignation Mystery: While a resignation letter from Bala Gombe (dated May 2025) has surfaced online—which would have cleared the path for the Mark-led executive—Gombe’s legal team continues to warn INEC against recognizing any new leadership while substantive suits remain at the Federal High Court.
Backlash: “A Sinister Conspiracy”
The “freezing” of the portal has drawn fierce condemnation from opposition figures who believe the move is designed to weaken the ADC’s 2027 momentum:
- ADC’s Official Stance: National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi accused the Federal Government of being “jittery” over the party’s rising influence. He labeled INEC’s decision “flawed and riddled with contradictions.”
- Inibehe Effiong: The human rights lawyer suggested a “sinister conspiracy” to truncate a fair contest in 2027. He questioned how a party could function if INEC refuses to recognize an executive that was duly ratified by its National Executive Committee.
- Dino Melaye: The former Senator, who recently defected to the ADC, blasted the move as “satanic and wicked,” alleging that the ruling APC is attempting to force a one-party state by sabotaging political realignments.
What This Means for the ADC-Kwankwasiyya Merger
This leadership freeze complicates the recent defection of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and his Kwankwasiyya movement into the ADC.
- Structural Limbo: Without an INEC-recognized chairman, the ADC may struggle to formally register new members or conduct the valid primaries required for upcoming off-cycle elections.
- The “Used Vehicle” Analogy: Former Senator Shehu Sani weighed in on the crisis, likening the ADC to a “used vehicle” riddled with engine and brake-pad faults. He noted that “inheriting” an old party (the ADC) brings along legacy legal battles that would not exist in a newly registered party.
Next Steps
The commission, through National Commissioner Mallam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, maintains that its position is one of strict neutrality pending the final determination of the substantive suit. For now, the ADC remains a party with a massive following but no officially recognized national head.
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