ADC drags INEC to Court, seeks restoration of Mark-led leadership

The leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has escalated, with the faction led by former Senate President David Mark launching a fresh legal battle against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the withdrawal of its recognition.

The development follows weeks of intense dispute over the party’s leadership structure, triggered after INEC removed the names of Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as National Chairman and National Secretary respectively from its official portal, citing a Court of Appeal directive.

In response, the Mark-led faction has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking orders to compel INEC to restore its leadership and resume monitoring of the party’s congresses and convention.

Through its counsel, Sulaiman Usman (SAN), the faction argued that INEC misinterpreted the appellate court’s directive to maintain the status quo ante bellum, insisting that the commission’s action created a leadership vacuum and disrupted party activities.

The applicants are also pushing for an accelerated hearing, warning that prolonged litigation could worsen internal divisions, encourage parallel structures, and undermine the party’s participation in political processes ahead of the 2027 elections.

The crisis stems from a suit filed by rival claimant Nafiu Bala, who is contesting the legitimacy of the Mark-led leadership. Although the Federal High Court initially declined to grant an injunction against Mark’s leadership, the matter escalated to the Court of Appeal, which ordered parties to maintain the existing state of affairs pending determination of the case.

Opposition Leaders Meet Amid Rising Tensions

Amid the deepening crisis, key opposition figures, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, held a strategic meeting with ADC leaders in a show of solidarity.

According to Tanimu Turaki, who led the delegation, the engagement focused on the growing challenges facing opposition parties and the need for unity.

Describing the meeting as a moment of “shared concern,” Turaki said discussions centred on safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy and preserving political plurality.

The delegation also included Seyi Makinde, Adolphus Wabara, and Jerry Gana, among others.

He noted that opposition parties were increasingly confronted with similar pressures, stressing the need for collective action to protect democratic values and ensure space for dissenting voices.

Umeh Accuses INEC of Bias, Questions Court Jurisdiction

Meanwhile, Senator Victor Umeh has accused INEC of deliberately undermining the ADC, alleging that the electoral body misapplied court rulings to justify its actions.

Speaking in Awka, Umeh argued that disputes relating to internal party leadership are not justiciable, citing previous Supreme Court decisions and provisions of the amended Electoral Act.

He questioned the legal basis for both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal to entertain the matter, insisting that such вмешment in party affairs contradicts established judicial precedents.

The senator further criticised INEC’s reliance on the appellate court’s ruling, describing its actions as misguided and capable of deepening the crisis within the party.

The unfolding legal and political battle has heightened uncertainty within the ADC, with multiple factions laying claim to leadership and key stakeholders warning of broader implications for Nigeria’s opposition landscape and democratic stability.

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