INEC Delists Mark, Aregbesola, Suspends Recognition Of Factions.
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), respectively.
In a statement, Mallam Mohammed Haruna,National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee said the commission would not also recognise Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is seeking to be declared national chairman through the courts.
According to the statement, the commission would suspend recognition of all factions within the party and refrain from monitoring any conventions or congresses organised by groups aligned with the affected leaders.
The decision,Haruna said will remain in place pending the final determination of a substantive suit before the Federal High Court.
The development follows a leadership crisis within the ADC, compounded by a recent judgment of the Court of Appeal that has further complicated the dispute.
The Commission urged political stakeholders to avoid actions that could disrupt preparations for the 2027 general elections.
INEC disclosed that it had received a letter dated March 16, 2026, from Suleiman Usman SAN & Co, warning against recognising Nafiu Bala Gombe as acting national chairman while legal proceedings are ongoing.
The commission also confirmed receiving a separate “Demand for Enforcement” from Summit Law Chambers, representing Gombe, which called for the removal of Mark and Aregbesola from INEC’s records and urged the commission to stop engaging with them or recognising any activities conducted under their authority.
The conflicting legal demands from rival factions have deepened the party’s internal crisis, prompting INEC to halt all official dealings with the contending groups until the courts resolve the matter.
