The leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has escalated, with the faction led by former Senate President David Mark initiating a legal battle to challenge the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) withdrawal of its recognition as the party's leadership. The dispute has thrown the party into weeks of uncertainty, following INEC's decision to implement a Court of Appeal order that altered the leadership structure it previously recognised, intensifying political tensions and sparking a broader legal struggle over control of the party.
In response, the Mark-led leadership has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to reverse INEC's decision to de-recognise it as the legitimate leadership of the ADC.
INEC had on April 1 removed the names of David Mark as National Chairman and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary from its official portal and website, citing a ruling of the appellate court.
The development followed a suit by Nafiu Bala Gombe, an aggrieved member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who laid claim to the ADC leadership and sought an injunction restraining INEC from recognising the Mark-led leadership.
However, Justice Emeka Nwite declined the request for an injunction and directed that the defendants be put on notice.
Dissatisfied with the proceedings, the Mark-led leadership approached the Court of Appeal to challenge the jurisdiction of the trial court, arguing that the matter concerned the internal affairs of a political party and was therefore not justiciable.
They also contended that the trial court had become functus officio after refusing to grant the injunction sought by the plaintiff.
The Court of Appeal, however, dismissed the appeal as premature and ordered an accelerated hearing of the substantive suit at the trial court, directing all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum.
Relying on that directive, INEC subsequently removed the names of the Mark-led leadership from its records, a decision the faction argues misinterprets the appellate court’s ruling.
Consequently, the faction filed a motion on notice dated April 7 through its counsel, Sulaiman Usman (SAN), seeking “an order of mandatory injunction, setting aside the decision, act, or directive of the respondent removing the names of the applicant’s National Working Committee from its official portal and the decision of refusal to attend or monitor the applicant’s congresses or convention pending the hearing and determination of the suit.”
The motion further requested the court to compel INEC to restore the names of Mark as National Chairman and Aregbesola as National Secretary, as well as other members of the National Executive Committee, in its official records and portal.
The applicants also sought “an order restraining INEC from tampering with, or otherwise interfering with the said leadership records of the 1st defendant, recognising or giving effect to any contrary or competing claims, pending the final determination of this suit.”
In support of the motion, Usman argued that the appellate court’s directive to maintain “status quo ante bellum” referred to the last uncontested leadership arrangement before the dispute began. He submitted that, “As of September 2, 2025, when this action was instituted, the 2nd defendant (Senator David Mark) was the recognised National Chairman of the 1st defendant. The said leadership structure had already been constituted.”
Usman further contended that INEC’s action was based on a misinterpretation of the Court of Appeal’s order, which he said created a leadership vacuum in the party and could render the subject matter of the suit nugatory. He stressed that “the law is settled that a mandatory injunction may be granted at an interlocutory stage to restore a party to the position wrongfully altered,” adding that “this is a proper case for the exercise of the equitable jurisdiction of this honourable court.”
Separately, in another motion dated April 2 but filed on April 7, the lawyer sought an order for accelerated hearing of the suit, urging the court to abridge the time for filing processes and to hear the matter on a day-to-day basis until final determination.
He argued that the dispute raised fundamental issues affecting the leadership structure of a registered political party and had far-reaching implications for democratic governance and political participation.
Usman warned that the lingering uncertainty surrounding the party’s leadership was disrupting its internal administration, hindering political activities and creating institutional confusion, while the continued pendency of the case could encourage parallel structures and conflicting claims.
Meanwhile, embattled National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tanimu Turaki, explained the reason behind a solidarity visit by a PDP delegation to the Mark-led ADC leadership.
Turaki described the meeting as “a moment of reflection, shared concern, and a reaffirmation of our collective duty to protect Nigeria’s democracy.”
According to him, the engagement brought together prominent opposition figures including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State governor Peter Obi and other ADC leaders.
He said the discussions centred on the challenges confronting opposition parties in the country.
Turaki stated: “As we sat across from respected leaders such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and other ADC leaders, there was a clear and sobering understanding: the challenges facing opposition parties in Nigeria today are real, shared, and demand unity of purpose.”
The PDP delegation also included Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees Adolphus Wabara, and founding member and former Minister of Information Jerry Gana.
Turaki noted that the talks addressed broader political pressures faced by opposition parties, which he described as part of “a broader pattern that threatens the very essence of political plurality in our country.”
He added that both sides reaffirmed their commitment “to defend democratic principles and preserve space for dissenting voices in the country.”
According to him, the meeting underscored the importance of a vibrant opposition in sustaining Nigeria’s democratic system.
“This visit was a reminder that beyond politics, there is a higher responsibility—to Nigeria, to its people, and to the future we all hope to build,” Turaki said.
In a separate development, Senator Victor Umeh, who represents Anambra Central, accused INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan of deliberately undermining the ADC.
Speaking in Awka after a preparatory meeting for the party’s congress, Umeh argued that disputes over party leadership were internal matters beyond the jurisdiction of the courts.
“Well, the controversy over the party (ADC) leadership is very simple and straightforward… the Supreme Court said that courts do not answer political questions. Issues concerning internal affairs of political parties are not justiciable,” he said.
Umeh further cited previous Supreme Court rulings and provisions of the Electoral Act to support his position.
He argued that the courts lacked jurisdiction over the matter and criticised INEC for relying on the appellate court’s directive.
“INEC is headed by a professor of law and a senior advocate of Nigeria. He knows that the two courts have no jurisdiction to entertain the matter. So why is he acting on it? And in acting on it, he acted on it wrongly,” Umeh queried.
