The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will no longer accept correspondences from either faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by David Mark and Rafiu Bala, pending the resolution of their leadership dispute in court.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Chairman of Information and Voter Education, Mohammed Kudu, the commission said the decision followed a review of the Court of Appeal judgment delivered on March 12, 2026.
INEC stated that it would also refrain from engaging with either faction or monitoring their meetings, congresses, or conventions until the matter is determined by the Federal High Court.
The commission further disclosed that it would remove the name of David Mark from its official portal as part of efforts to maintain neutrality.
The leadership crisis in the ADC stems from the emergence of a caretaker committee led by former Senate President David Mark, which was challenged in court by Rafiu Bala, a former vice chairman of the party.
Bala argued that he should have assumed leadership following the resignation of the party’s former national chairman, Ralph Nwosu, whose exit in July 2025 led to the formation of the Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC).
The dispute is tied to broader political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with opposition figures having adopted the ADC as a platform to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Following this development, Nwosu formally handed over party leadership to David Mark as interim national chairman and former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as national secretary.
However, Bala instituted a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja on September 2, 2025, seeking to restrain Mark’s group from parading themselves as the party’s leadership.
The trial court directed that the defendants be put on notice, prompting Mark to file an appeal on December 18, 2025.
On March 12, 2026, the Court of Appeal in Abuja dismissed the appeal, a development INEC said informed its decision to maintain the status quo ante bellum, reflecting the party’s leadership structure prior to the institution of the suit.
