The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has removed the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as National Chairman and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The commission also declared that it would not recognise Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is seeking to be declared national chairman through ongoing court proceedings.
INEC, in a statement issued on Wednesday, said it would suspend recognition of all factions within the party and refrain from monitoring any conventions or congresses organised by groups linked to the contending leaders.
The commission noted that the decision would remain in force pending the final determination of a substantive suit before the Federal High Court.
The development follows a deepening leadership crisis within the ADC, further complicated by a recent judgment of the Court of Appeal in Suit No. CA/ABJ/145/2026.
The conflicting claims to leadership within the party have led to multiple legal actions, creating uncertainty over its recognised leadership structure.
In the statement, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said the commission remains neutral in the dispute.
He urged political actors to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could disrupt preparations for the 2027 general elections.
INEC disclosed that it had received a letter dated March 16, 2026, from Suleiman Usman SAN & Co, cautioning against recognising Gombe as acting national chairman while the matter remains in court.
The commission also confirmed receiving a separate “Demand for Enforcement” from Summit Law Chambers, representing Gombe, which called for the removal of Mark and Aregbesola from its records.
The legal representatives further urged INEC to cease engagement with the duo and to disregard any activities conducted under their authority.
The conflicting legal positions from rival factions have intensified the internal crisis within the ADC, prompting INEC to suspend all official dealings with the party’s contending groups
