The leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by David Mark has initiated legal action against the Independent National Electoral Commission, seeking to overturn its decision to derecognise the party’s leadership.
In a suit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja before Justice Emeka Nwite, Mark is asking the court to compel INEC to restore the names of the party’s National Working Committee members, including himself as National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary.
The motion, filed by his lawyer Sulaiman Usman, also seeks an order directing INEC to resume monitoring the party’s congresses and conventions pending the determination of the case.
INEC had earlier removed the names of Mark and Aregbesola from its official portal on April 1, following ongoing disputes over the party’s leadership.
The legal action is in response to a March 12 judgment of the Court of Appeal in a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe.
Mark’s legal team argued that the appellate court had directed all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum—the last uncontested leadership structure before the dispute—which they insist recognized Mark as the legitimate National Chairman.
According to the lawyer, INEC misinterpreted the court’s directive, leading to the removal of the leadership and creating a vacuum within the party.
The suit is seeking multiple reliefs, including:
- An order setting aside INEC’s decision to remove the ADC leadership from its records
- A directive compelling INEC to restore the party’s leadership structure
- An injunction preventing INEC from recognizing any rival claims pending the final judgment
Additionally, the ADC leadership is requesting an accelerated hearing of the case, citing the urgency and broader implications for democratic participation and internal party stability.
The dispute stems from a prolonged leadership crisis within the ADC involving factions linked to Nafiu Bala Gombe and former chairman Ralph Nwosu, who had stepped down for the current leadership.
The outcome of the case is expected to significantly impact the party’s structure and its readiness ahead of the 2027 general elections.
