ADC Rejects INEC’s Interpretation of Court Ruling, Alleges External Pressure

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) interpretation of a Court of Appeal ruling regarding the party’s ongoing leadership dispute, accusing the electoral body of bias and yielding to external pressure.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the ADC’s National Spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, faulted INEC’s decision to remove the names of Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its portal as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively. According to the party, INEC’s position is riddled with contradictions and does not reflect the facts of the case.

The electoral commission had earlier explained that its action was in compliance with a Court of Appeal order to maintain the status quo ante bellum the situation that existed before the dispute began. The leadership crisis pits the faction loyal to Senator Mark against a rival group led by Nafiu Bala, both claiming to be the legitimate national leadership of the party.

INEC noted that while the names of the current National Working Committee (NWC) members were uploaded to its portal on September 9, 2025, the action came after a suit had already been filed on September 2, 2025.

In line with the court’s directive, the commission stated that the names would be removed pending the resolution of the matter. INEC also rejected a request from the Bala-led faction to recognize its candidate as acting national chairman, stating that such a move would violate the court order. Consequently, the commission announced a suspension of all engagements with the party’s factions until a final ruling is delivered.

However, reacting to the development, Abdullahi alleged that INEC had succumbed to government pressure, pointing to what he described as the ADC’s growing political momentum.

“We reject INEC’s interpretation of the Court of Appeal ruling. We knew that INEC was being pressured by a government that has become jittery from the ADC’s rising momentum even in the face of its relentless assault on all opposition parties,” Abdullahi said.

He further claimed that the commission’s statement was “full of contradictions that fly in the face of both facts and reason,” adding that the party would clarify these discrepancies in due course. Abdullahi noted that the ADC is currently reviewing its options and would announce its next steps soon, while calling on members and Nigerians to remain steadfast.

“Nigeria is rising. ADC is rising,” he added.

Meanwhile, INEC has maintained that its actions are strictly in line with the appellate court’s judgment delivered on March 12, 2026, which directed all parties to refrain from actions that could prejudice the outcome of the case. The commission reiterated that it would not take any step capable of rendering the court’s proceedings nugatory.