.Suspends recognition of conventions, congresses organised by the duo
.Discontinues recognition of all factions
By Yahaya Umar, Abuja
Amid the deepening crisis within the African Democratic Congress, ADC, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said that it will strike out the names of the party National Chairman, Senator David Mark and National Secretary of the ADC, Rauf Aregbesola from its records.
Besides, INEC stated that that it would not recognise Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is seeking to assume leadership of the party through the courts, while suspending recognition of all conventions and congresses organised by the duo of Mark and Aregbesola’s faction pending the determination of the substantive suit before the Federal High Court.
The Commission hinged its decision on the current leadership crisis ricking the party and the recent judgment of the Court of Appeal in Suit No. CA/ABJ/145/2026, noting that it would remain neutral and guided strictly by legal processes.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mallam Mohammed Haruna, in a statement yesterday reiterated the Commission’s commitment to impartiality, adding that INEC had received multiple legal communications from opposing factions, including a notice from Suleiman Usman (SAN) & Co. cautioning against recognising Gombe as acting national chairman, as well as a “Demand for Enforcement” from Summit Law Chambers seeking the removal of Mark and Aregbesola from its portal.
The INEC urged political actors to avoid actions that could disrupt preparations for the 2027 general elections.
In this vein, the Commission declined request by Gombe’s legal team to immediately recognise him as party leader, stating that the matter remains before the court and must be resolved through due process.
Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress has called on Independent National Electoral Commission to stop the alleged plan to call for voter revalidation, warning that it could become a recipe for chaos.
The ADC in a statement by its Spokesman, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, yesterday in Abuja, said carrying out voter revalidation months before elections could disenfranchise millions of already registered citizens across the country.
Abdullahi stressed the timing concern, noting that the exercise, if confirmed, would be coming less than 10 months before polls, adding that it would risk confusion, logistical strain and widespread voter disengagement nationwide.
“What happens to Nigerians who will be unable to travel”, he queried, warning that many Nigerians could lose voting rights due to constraints beyond their control or resources.
While warning that new requirements could worsen voter apathy, Abdullahi stated that any added barrier could suppress turnout, undermine democratic participation and weaken the legitimacy of election outcome.
He cautioned INEC against perceptions of bias, stressing that election credibility depends on actions and public trust.
The ADC spokesman called for neutrality to avoid accusations of enabling manipulation before votes are cast.
“Nigerians deserve transparency, not ambiguity, especially for a nationwide exercise of significant electoral importance”, he stated.
Abdullahi argued that revalidation, if necessary, should have occurred earlier, not on the eve of another election, so as to prevent disruption and ensure adequate preparation time.
Calling for restraint, the party urged INEC to abandon such a plan, saying that no policy should be allowed to disenfranchise voters or undermine confidence at such a critical democratic moment in the country.
