The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has outlined its stance following the Court of Appeal judgment in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026 involving Senator David Mark and Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, amid ongoing leadership tussle within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The Commission disclosed that it received conflicting communications dated March 16, 2026, from legal representatives of both parties. While one urged INEC not to recognise Gombe as acting National Chairman due to a pending suit at the Federal High Court, another demanded enforcement of the Appeal Court ruling, including the withdrawal of recognition from Senator David Mark’s leadership and removal of his group from INEC’s records.
Further correspondence accused INEC of disobeying court orders by engaging with Mark’s faction, including inviting the group to a stakeholders’ meeting and monitoring its activities. The Gombe camp also requested that INEC invalidate recent meetings held by Mark’s group and recognise Gombe as interim leader pending the court’s final decision.
INEC, however, clarified that the Court of Appeal, in its March 12, 2026 judgment, dismissed an interlocutory appeal filed by Senator Mark and directed all parties to maintain the “status quo ante bellum” pending the determination of the substantive case before the Federal High Court. The court also ordered accelerated hearing of the matter.
Providing background, INEC noted that the current ADC National Working Committee led by Senator Mark emerged after the July 29, 2025 National Executive Committee meeting, while Gombe disputes the process, insisting he never resigned and should automatically assume leadership as the party’s former Vice National Chairman.
At its meeting on March 31, 2026, the Commission resolved to strictly comply with the appellate court’s directive by maintaining the situation as it existed before the suit was filed on September 2, 2025.
As part of its decision, INEC stated it will:
Refrain from recognising or engaging with any faction of the ADC pending the court’s final ruling;
Decline requests to install Gombe as acting chairman;
Suspend monitoring of any party meetings, congresses, or conventions by any group;
Remove the names of the current National Working Committee led by Senator Mark from its portal to preserve the status quo.
The Commission emphasised that it will not take any action that could prejudice the ongoing court proceedings.
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to neutrality, impartiality, and adherence to judicial directives, urging political actors to act responsibly and avoid actions that could disrupt preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The statement was signed by National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, on April 1, 2026.
