By Christian Abolu

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained its decision to withdraw recognition of the leadership of Senator David Mark within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing compliance with a subsisting court ruling and the need to maintain neutrality in the party’s internal dispute.

The Commission said its action followed a careful review of the judgment of the Court of Appeal delivered on March 12, 2026, as well as ongoing proceedings before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said the electoral body had resolved to maintain the “status quo ante bellum” in line with the appellate court’s directive.

He explained that the Court of Appeal, in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026, involving Senator Mark and Nafiu Bala Gombe, dismissed an interlocutory appeal and ordered all parties to preserve the existing situation pending the determination of the substantive suit before the Federal High Court.

According to INEC, the decision was also influenced by conflicting legal representations from parties within the ADC.

While Suleiman Usman (SAN) & Co, acting for certain stakeholders, urged caution against recognising Gombe as Acting National Chairman, Summit Law Chambers, representing Gombe, called on the Commission to enforce the appellate court ruling by ceasing recognition of Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as party leaders.

The Commission noted that Summit Law Chambers further alleged that INEC had breached the court’s directive by engaging with the Mark-led faction, including inviting it to a political parties’ meeting and monitoring its activities.

Providing background to the dispute, INEC said the current National Working Committee (NWC) crisis followed a National Executive Committee meeting held on July 29, 2025, after the resignation of the previous leadership under Ralph Okey Nwosu.

Gombe, who was then National Vice Chairman, has maintained that he did not resign and should, by the party’s constitution, assume leadership.

He subsequently approached the Federal High Court through Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, seeking to restrain Mark’s faction from acting as party executives and to compel INEC to recognise him as Acting National Chairman.

INEC disclosed that the Mark-led NWC had earlier been uploaded to its portal in September 2025 following a formal request.

However, in light of the court’s directive, the Commission said it would now revert to the status that existed before September 2, 2025, when the suit was filed.

“After considering the judgment and all relevant processes, the Commission resolved to maintain the situation as it existed before 2nd September 2025. It also resolved to refrain from taking any action that could undermine the proceedings before the Federal High Court,” Haruna stated.

As part of the measures, INEC said it would remove from its official portal the names of the National Working Committee members led by Senator Mark.

The Commission further announced that it would no longer entertain communications from any of the contending factions within the ADC, nor monitor meetings, congresses or conventions organised by either group, pending the final determination of the case.

Reaffirming its commitment to neutrality and the rule of law, INEC urged political parties and stakeholders to act responsibly in order not to disrupt preparations for the 2027 general election.