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ADC Leadership Crisis Deepens as Faction Petitions INEC to Remove Mark, Aregbesola

Published by Samuel Ayomide on March 22nd, 2026.

The internal leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has escalated, with a rival faction formally urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw recognition of former Senate President David Mark and ex-governor Rauf Aregbesola as the party’s national chairman and secretary.

The move, led by Nafiu Bala, a former Deputy National Chairman of the party, follows a series of legal battles over the control of the ADC’s leadership structure. According to Sunday Punch, Bala has written to INEC through his counsel, Robert Emukpoeruo (SAN), asking the commission to align with a recent Court of Appeal ruling and recognize him as the rightful national chairman.

The leadership tussle stems from earlier proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where Justice Emeka Nwitedeclined to grant Bala’s request for an interim order to remove Mark and Aregbesola. The court instead directed the defendants to respond to the claims brought against them.

Dissatisfied, Mark approached the Court of Appeal to challenge the ruling. However, the appellate court dismissed the appeal, citing procedural issues, particularly the failure to obtain prior leave before filing. The Guardian Nigeriareports that the court further instructed all parties to maintain the existing situation pending the final determination of the case at the lower court.

Bala’s camp has since interpreted this directive as grounds for INEC to revert to the party’s previous structure, insisting that any leadership arrangement involving Mark and Aregbesola should not stand.

In contrast, another legal opinion submitted to INEC by Dr. Sulaimon Usman (SAN) cautioned against taking any action that could disrupt the current leadership framework. He argued that, in line with judicial prudence and constitutional order, the commission should refrain from recognizing any new leadership until the substantive case is resolved.

According to Daily Times, Usman emphasized that the ADC still operates under a structure that emerged from a National Executive Committee meeting previously monitored by INEC, and that arrangement remains valid for now.

The crisis has also taken a political turn, with allegations from within the ADC suggesting external interference. A party figure, Abdullahi, claimed that certain elements within the Presidency and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)were attempting to influence INEC to weaken the opposition party ahead of the 2027 elections.

He alleged that the broader strategy was to destabilize the ADC and prevent it from presenting a strong presidential candidate, a claim highlighted by The Nation.

Responding to the allegations, APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru dismissed the claims as unfounded, accusing the ADC of diverting attention from its internal divisions.

“The Presidency and our party are not involved in their legal disputes. The matter is purely within the ADC and before the courts,” Basiru said, according to The Punch.

He stressed that the Court of Appeal’s directive to maintain the status quo remains binding and warned against attempts to pressure INEC into actions that may contradict judicial orders.

Basiru further urged the ADC to pursue legal remedies through appropriate channels if dissatisfied, rather than making what he described as “wild allegations.”

As the legal battle continues, INEC is now faced with competing requests and interpretations of court rulings, placing the commission at the center of the dispute.

Political observers say the outcome of the case could significantly shape the future of the ADC, particularly as opposition parties begin early positioning ahead of the 2027 general elections.