ADC Leadership Crisis: INEC Removes David Mark-Led NWC, Cites Appeal Court Order, Suspends Recognition of Factions
INEC deletes David
ABUJA
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified its position on the lingering leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), confirming the removal of the National Working Committee (NWC) led by David Mark from its official digital portal.
The electoral body said the decision followed a detailed review of the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026, alongside a subsisting suit before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
INEC disclosed that it had been navigating competing claims from two factions within the party—one loyal to Nafiu Bala Gombe and the other aligned with Mark.
While the Gombe faction pushed for enforcement of the appellate court’s ruling to displace the Mark-led leadership, the opposing bloc maintained that Gombe should not be recognised pending the final determination of the case.
The leadership tussle dates back to July 2025, when the party’s former executives resigned, paving the way for the emergence of the Mark-led NWC. However, Gombe, a former Vice National Chairman, challenged the development, asserting his constitutional right to assume leadership of the party.
In a key ruling delivered on March 12, 2026, the Court of Appeal dismissed an interlocutory appeal filed by the Mark faction and directed all parties to revert to the status quo ante bellum—the condition that existed before the dispute—pending the final decision of the trial court.
Following an internal review meeting held on March 31, 2026, INEC resolved to strictly comply with the appellate court’s directive.
“As directed by the Court of Appeal, the Commission will maintain the status quo ante bellum and refrain from taking any step capable of rendering the proceedings before the Federal High Court nugatory,” the commission stated.
Consequently, INEC said it would not recognise Gombe as Acting National Chairman at this stage and has suspended all formal engagements with both factions. This includes halting the monitoring of party congresses, conventions, and other official activities linked to either group.
The commission explained that the Mark-led NWC was initially uploaded to its portal after litigation had already commenced, a development it now considers inconsistent with the subsisting judicial pronouncement.
Reaffirming its neutrality, INEC urged all stakeholders within the ADC to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could undermine due process or disrupt preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The substantive suit on the party’s leadership remains pending before the Federal High Court in Abuja.