The leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has taken a new turn, with the faction led by David Mark heading to court to challenge its derecognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
For weeks, the party has been embroiled in a fierce battle over who controls its leadership, following INEC’s decision to implement a Court of Appeal ruling that altered the party’s recognised structure. The move triggered political tension and competing claims within the party.
On April 1, INEC removed the names of David Mark as National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary from its official records, citing the appellate court’s directive to maintain the “status quo ante bellum.”
Displeased with the decision, the Mark-led faction has now approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking an order to reverse INEC’s action and restore its leadership to the commission’s portal.
Through his lawyer, Sulaiman Usman (SAN), Mark is asking the court to compel INEC to recognise the party’s National Working Committee as it existed before the dispute and to resume monitoring its congresses and convention.
The legal team argued that INEC misinterpreted the Court of Appeal ruling, insisting that “status quo ante bellum” refers to the last uncontested leadership structure before the suit was filed—when Mark was still recognised as chairman.
They also warned that INEC’s decision has created a leadership vacuum and could worsen internal confusion within the party.
In addition, the faction is pushing for an accelerated hearing of the case, citing its implications for democratic participation and the stability of the party.
The crisis stems from a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is also laying claim to the party’s leadership. Although an initial request to stop INEC from recognising Mark’s faction was dismissed by Justice Emeka Nwite, the Court of Appeal later ordered a speedy hearing of the main case and directed parties to maintain the status quo.
Meanwhile, political tensions around the ADC have drawn attention from other opposition figures. A delegation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Tanimu Turaki, recently met with ADC leaders, including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, to discuss the challenges facing opposition parties.
Turaki described the meeting as a moment of reflection and unity, noting that opposition groups are facing shared political pressures that threaten democratic space in Nigeria.
Adding another layer to the controversy, Senator Victor Umeh accused INEC of deliberately sabotaging the ADC. He argued that leadership disputes within political parties are internal matters that courts should not interfere in, citing past Supreme Court rulings and provisions of the Electoral Act.
Umeh maintained that both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal lack jurisdiction over such matters, describing INEC’s reliance on their rulings as “mischievous.”
As the legal battle unfolds, the uncertainty continues to affect the party’s operations, raising concerns about its ability to function effectively and participate fully in Nigeria’s political process.
