INEC freezes ADC leadership as 2027 election concerns rise
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced on Wednesday, April 2, 2026, that it has removed David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as National Chairman and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). INEC also suspended recognition of all ADC factions and will not monitor any conventions or congresses organized by groups aligned with the affected leaders. The Commission stated this decision follows a leadership crisis within the ADC and a recent Court of Appeal judgment in Suit No. CA/ABJ/145/2026. INEC revealed it received a letter dated March 16, 2026, from Suleiman Usman SAN & Co, warning against recognizing Nafiu Bala Gombe as acting national chairman amid ongoing litigation. The Commission affirmed it will not recognize Gombe, who is seeking court declaration as national chairman, and this stance will persist until the Federal High Court finally determines the substantive suit.
This move has sparked confusion and anxiety within the ADC and among political observers. The ADC, via its National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi on X, accused INEC of acting under pressure from a "jittery" Federal Government over ADC's growing influence, calling the commission's position flawed and contradictory. Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong criticized INEC, alleging a plot to undermine credible elections ahead of 2027. He questioned the basis of INEC intervening in what he described as an internal party matter, referencing the Court of Appeal's directive to maintain status quo and suggesting the developments could weaken opposition to ensure Bola Tinubu runs unopposed. Former Senator Dino Melaye described the situation as "satanic and wicked," accusing the APC of attempting to turn Nigeria into a one-party state. Former Senator Shehu Sani likened the ADC's crisis to inheriting a "used vehicle riddled with faults," highlighting the structural challenges of taking over an existing party versus registering a new one.
Meanwhile, an alleged resignation letter from Nafiu Bala, dated May 18, 2025, has surfaced online, though its authenticity could not be independently verified. In it, Bala reportedly resigned from the National Working Committee to allow for restructuring. The ADC leadership dispute centers on whether Mark and Aregbesola's leadership, ratified by the National Executive Committee after prior executives resigned, is valid. INEC's freeze effectively sidelines both factions pending court resolution, creating uncertainty for the party's participation in future elections. The commission maintains it is committed to neutrality amid accusations of partisan bias.
With the 2027 electoral cycle approaching, this ADC crisis and INEC's intervention raise profound questions about electoral management, internal democracy within parties, and the space for opposition politics. Does INEC's action protect the electoral process from factional chaos, or does it set a dangerous precedent for state interference in party affairs? For voters and opposition figures, the key intelligence is to monitor the Federal High Court case closely, assess whether INEC's approach consistently applies to all parties, and consider whether this weakens or strengthens Nigeria's multi-party democracy ahead of the next general election.
SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/04/02/confusion-anxiety-over-inec-freezing-of-david-marks-adc-leadership/