Between INEC and the ADC

Nigeria’s former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, David Mark, Rotimi Amaechi, Rauf Aregbesola, and Peter Obi stormed the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) office in Abuja. In  addition to the demonstration tagged “Occupy INEC”  to protest INEC’s “partisanship,” the party has also submitted a petition which was received by INEC’s national commissioner, Prof. Abdullahi Zuru. The content of the petition is still undisclosed, however, ADC has repeatedly called for the removal of the INEC Chairperson, Prof. Josh Amupitan, having accused him of deliberately misinterpreting an order of the Court of Appeal in order to suspend the party’s recognition and jeopardise its ability to participate in the coming elections.

Last week, INEC derecognised the current leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), sparking fierce reactions from the party and public alike.

INEC, through its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, announced the decision in a statement on Wednesday. The commission based its decision on a court order directing it to maintain the status quo pending the determination of a suit challenging the legality of David Mark’s leadership of the opposition party.

Reacting, the ADC spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Ini Ememobong, insisted that the development was a calculated attempt to undermine democratic structures, alleging the involvement of the APC government and urging supporters to mobilise in defence of democratic principles.

A leadership crisis began in the ADC after the former chairman, Ralph Okey Nwosu, and his executive members resigned in July 2025. Senator David Mark’s faction was subsequently recognised by INEC as the new leadership. However, Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, the former Vice-Chairman, contested this, arguing that he should have automatically assumed the chairmanship under the party’s constitution.

Hon. Gombe filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja, in September 2025, seeking to stop INEC from recognising Senator David Mark’s faction and to have himself recognised as Acting Chairman. Senator David Mark appealed, challenging the court’s jurisdiction. On 12 March 2026, the Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal and issued key preservation orders, directing all parties to maintain the “status quo ante bellum” and to keep the situation as it was to avoid prejudicing the ongoing trial.

Hon. Gombe’s lawyers urged INEC to remove Senator David Mark’s faction of the party from its portal, stop recognising them, and hand over party affairs to Hon. Gombe. Senator David Mark’s lawyers urged INEC to continue recognising their group, and later notified INEC of planned ADC congresses and a national convention.

INEC’s Decision as of 31 March 2026 stated that the commission would take a completely neutral stance by maintaining the status quo as of September 2, 2025 before the suit was filed. It also removed the National Working Committee led by Senator David Mark and former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, and also refused to hand control to Hon. Gombe.

Finally, INEC stated that it would not communicate with, monitor, or recognise any meetings, congresses, or conventions held by either faction until the Federal High Court delivers its judgement.

The ADC had previously fixed April 14, 2026 as the date for its national convention, and still maintains that the event will hold as scheduled.

With a major election cycle approaching and accusations of government interference flying from multiple opposition camps, the crisis carries significant implications for Nigeria’s democracy.