ADC Drags INEC to Court Over Leadership Crisis, Seeks Reinstatement of Mark, Aregbesola

By Folarin Adeyemi Aluko

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has taken legal action against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), asking a Federal High Court in Abuja to compel the electoral body to restore the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, follows INEC’s decision on April 1 to remove the names of the duo, alongside other members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), from its official portal—an action that has deepened an already intense leadership crisis within the opposition party.

Legal Battle Over Party Leadership

In a motion filed on April 7 by counsel to Mark, Sulaiman Usman (SAN), the plaintiffs are seeking a mandatory injunction directing INEC to immediately reinstate the affected officials, pending the final determination of the suit.

The application, filed under the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019, is anchored on three major reliefs, including setting aside INEC’s decision to delist the party’s leadership and restraining the commission from recognising any rival claims.

According to the plaintiffs, INEC’s actions contradict an earlier ruling of the Court of Appeal, which directed all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum—the last undisputed leadership structure before the crisis escalated.

Crisis Deepens Within ADC

The legal action comes amid a widening internal rift within the ADC, with multiple factions laying claim to the party’s leadership ahead of the 2027 general elections.

A faction led by Nafiu Gombe has challenged the legitimacy of the Mark-led leadership, staging a counter-protest at INEC headquarters in Abuja and demanding recognition. Gombe insists he is the rightful national chairman and has urged the electoral body to comply with the appellate court’s directive.

“We cannot allow political opportunists to hijack our party,” Gombe declared, framing the dispute as a broader test of Nigeria’s commitment to the rule of law and democratic principles.

At the protest, he was joined by federal lawmaker Leke Abejide, as supporters reiterated calls for INEC to reflect their leadership claims on its official records.

Party Leadership Pushes Ahead

Despite the turmoil, former ADC National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, has dismissed suggestions that the crisis could derail the party’s activities. Backing the Mark-led faction, Nwosu affirmed that preparations for congresses and the party’s national convention remain on track.

He revealed that the ADC has already submitted its timetable to INEC and received acknowledgment, stressing that the party would proceed with its programmes regardless of the commission’s stance.

“Our congresses have already commenced, and the national convention will hold as scheduled. We will not allow any institution to derail our democratic processes,” Nwosu said.

He added that the convention would validate party structures and pave the way for the selection of presidential and other candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.

Allegations of Political Interference

Meanwhile, ADC chieftain Kenneth Okonkwo has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to destabilise opposition parties.

Speaking in Enugu, Okonkwo alleged that state institutions were being used, alongside internal collaborators, to weaken the ADC and disrupt its preparations for the next electoral cycle.

A Test for Nigeria’s Democracy

The unfolding crisis within the ADC underscores broader concerns about party cohesion, institutional neutrality, and the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process as political alignments begin to take shape ahead of 2027.

With parallel claims to leadership, court battles, and street protests, the dispute is rapidly evolving into a major political test—one that could shape the future of opposition politics in Nigeria.