INEC removes David Mark, Aregbesola as ADC chairman, secretaryhttps://t.co/OIsOPTzDky
— Peoples Gazette (@GazetteNGR) April 1, 2026
The Independent National Electoral Commission has de-recognised the African Democratic Congress leadership led by Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola, citing a Court of Appeal order directing the commission to maintain the status quo ante bellum in a pending leadership dispute.
INEC announced the decision on Wednesday, stating that it would remove the names of Mark and Aregbesola from its portal, refuse to recognise Nafiu Bala Gombe as acting national chairman, and suspend all engagement with any faction until the Federal High Court resolves the matter.
The ADC, the Peoples Democratic Party, and former Anambra Governor Peter Obi condemned the decision, with ADC spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress of attempting to hijack the party and vowing to resist the move “by all legal means possible.”
In a statement issued on Wednesday evening, Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC national publicity secretary, alleged that the “electoral body acted under pressure from a government panicked by the opposition momentum despite its efforts to destroy all opposition parties and foist a one-party rule on Nigeria”.
PDP spokesman Ini Ememobong described the situation as “a national tragedy and a challenge to democracy,” while Yunusa Tanko of the Obidient Movement warned of “catastrophic consequences” if INEC continues on a partisan path.