INEC Halts Recognition of David Mark, Rafiu Bala ADC Factions Until Court Decides

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has halted recognition of both the David Mark-led and Rafiu Bala-led factions of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), stating it will no longer accept correspondences from either group following a review of the Court of Appeal judgment on March 12, 2026.

A statement signed by the Chairman of Information and Voter Education, Mohammed Kudu, noted that the commission will not engage with either faction, nor monitor any meetings, congresses, or conventions of the two groups until the matter at the Federal High Court is decided. The commission further announced it would remove the names of David Mark from the INEC portal.

Rafiu Bala, who was the vice chairman of the ADC before the David Mark-led caretaker committee assumed control of the party, approached the courts to challenge the emergence of David Mark and his colleagues at the National Working Committee.

The opposition coalition had, in 2025, adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a political platform to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections. This was followed by the former national chairman of the ADC, Ralph Nwosu, formally handing over the party’s membership card to former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who assumed the roles of interim national chairman and national secretary, respectively.

The resignation of the Ralph Nwosu-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the ADC in July 2025 gave rise to the David Mark-led NWC. However, Nafiu Bala Gombe, the Vice-National Chairman, claimed that following the chairman’s resignation, he automatically ought to take over as chairman.

Bala Gombe instituted Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025 on September 2, 2025, seeking an ex parte injunction restraining Senator David Mark’s group from parading themselves as the leadership of the party. The motion was heard on September 4, 2025, and the trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, directed that the respondents be put on notice. The second defendant, Senator David Mark, appealed the order on December 18, 2025. However, on March 12, 2026, the Court of Appeal in Abuja dismissed the appeal.

Following the ruling, INEC said the situation influenced its decision to maintain the status quo ante bellum, based on the facts existing prior to September 2, 2025, when the case was originally filed.

Senator David Mark with ADC Chieftain Alhaji Atiku Abubakar
photo credit: @atiku

Meanwhile, earlier in the day, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar paid a courtesy visit to David Mark at his residence in Abuja. Disclosing this in a statement via X, Atiku said the visit provided an opportunity for both leaders to exchange ideas on strengthening the party. He described the meeting as a productive engagement focused on repositioning the ADC and enhancing public trust in Nigeria’s democratic process.

The visit comes amid ongoing political realignments and consultations ahead of future electoral engagements, with key stakeholders exploring avenues to build stronger opposition platforms.

ADC has been aligning and realigning ahead of the 2027 general polls by trying to draw more prominent personalities to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress next year. On Tuesday, the party sent emissaries to Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed. Prior to the Bauchi meeting, the ADC succeeded in winning former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, into its fold.

Written by Boom RadioNG