The Independent National Electoral Commission on Wednesday announced the removal of the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official records as National Chairman and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress.
The electoral body also stated that it would not recognise Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is seeking to assume the position of national chairman through ongoing legal proceedings.
INEC disclosed that it had suspended recognition of all factions within the party and would refrain from monitoring any conventions or congresses organised by groups loyal to the affected leaders.
According to the commission, the decision will subsist pending the final determination of a substantive suit before the Federal High Court.
The development is linked to the protracted leadership crisis rocking the ADC, further complicated by a recent ruling of the Court of Appeal in Suit No. CA/ABJ/145/2026.
In a statement issued by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mallam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, INEC reiterated its commitment to neutrality in the matter.
He urged political actors to desist from actions capable of undermining preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The commission revealed that it received a letter dated March 16, 2026, from Suleiman Usman (SAN) & Co, cautioning against the recognition of Gombe as acting national chairman while the matter remains before the court.
INEC also confirmed receipt of a separate demand from Summit Law Chambers, representing Gombe, seeking the removal of Mark and Aregbesola from its records and urging the commission to discontinue engagement with them.
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The conflicting legal positions from the rival camps, INEC noted, have intensified the crisis within the party, prompting the commission to suspend all official dealings with the factions until the courts resolve the dispute.
