The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has removed the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as National Chairman and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The commission also stated that it would not recognise Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is seeking to assume the position of national chairman through the courts.
INEC announced that it is suspending recognition of all factions within the party and will not monitor any conventions or congresses organised by groups linked to the affected leaders. The decision, according to the commission, will remain in effect until a substantive case before the Federal High Court is resolved.
The development follows an ongoing leadership crisis within the ADC, further complicated by a recent Court of Appeal judgment.
In a statement, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said the commission remains neutral in the dispute. He urged political stakeholders to avoid actions that could disrupt preparations for the 2027 general elections.
INEC revealed that it had received a letter dated March 16, 2026, from Suleiman Usman SAN & Co, cautioning against recognising Nafiu Bala Gombe as acting national chairman while the matter is still before the court.
At the same time, the commission confirmed receiving a separate demand from Summit Law Chambers, representing Gombe, requesting the removal of Mark and Aregbesola from its records and asking INEC to stop engaging with them.
The conflicting legal claims from the rival factions have deepened the party’s internal crisis, prompting INEC to step back from all official dealings with the groups until the courts deliver a final ruling.
