Politics
BREAKING: INEC Withdraws Recognition of David Mark’s ADC
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has withdrawn its recognition of the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing a recent judgment of the Court of Appeal.
The development stems from an ongoing leadership crisis in the party, pitting the faction led by former Senate President David Mark (as National Chairman) and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (as National Secretary) against a rival group associated with Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman.
According to reports, the Court of Appeal in Abuja, in a ruling delivered around mid-March 2026, dismissed an appeal filed by Senator Mark challenging an earlier decision of the Federal High Court. The appellate court struck out the appeal on procedural grounds, describing it as incompetent because it was filed against an interlocutory ruling without the required leave of court. It also directed parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum (the situation as it existed before the dispute escalated) pending the determination of the substantive suit at the lower court.
Factional leader Nafiu Bala Gombe subsequently wrote to INEC, arguing that the Appeal Court’s order effectively nullified the recognition previously granted to the Mark-led executive and threatened contempt proceedings against the electoral body if it continued to accord recognition to that leadership.
INEC’s decision to withdraw recognition appears to be in response to this interpretation of the appellate judgment and related petitions from the rival faction. The electoral commission had earlier recognized Mark and Aregbesola as the party’s national leaders following internal processes within the ADC.
The Mark-led ADC faction has consistently maintained that the Court of Appeal ruling was purely procedural and did not affect the legitimacy or tenure of its leadership. Party officials urged members not to panic, describing the judgment as preserving the status quo without sacking the current executives. Several state chapters have also disowned suits seeking to remove Mark.
The crisis has lingered for months, with multiple court cases filed by different factions. Earlier attempts to secure injunctions restraining INEC from recognizing Mark and Aregbesola were refused by the Federal High Court. Other suits challenging the leadership, including one involving former ADC presidential candidate Dumebi Kachikwu, have also been dismissed.
Political observers note that the withdrawal of recognition could have significant implications for the ADC’s participation in future elections, including the ability to submit candidate lists and access party funds or facilities. The substantive suit before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, which will determine the authentic leadership of the party, is still pending.
As at the time of filing this report, neither INEC nor the Mark-led ADC had issued an official statement confirming or reacting to the withdrawal of recognition. The development further deepens the internal divisions within what was positioned by some as a potential opposition platform ahead of future polls.
The African Democratic Congress has been embroiled in leadership tussles since Mark and Aregbesola assumed roles in the party, with accusations of constitutional breaches and external influences flying between factions. The final resolution now rests with the courts.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has begun the nationwide display of the preliminary register of voters and the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) today, Friday, October 9, 2026, as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The seven-day exercise, which runs until October 15, will take place simultaneously across registration areas and wards in all states. It allows registered voters to verify their details on the register, raise claims or objections, and collect PVCs from the first phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) conducted between August and December 2025. Collection hours are from 9am to 3pm daily, including weekends.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, confirmed that Nigeria’s National Register of Voters now stands at over 103 million following the completion of the three-phase CVR exercise and a final Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) cleanup. The exercise recorded 10,772,421 new registrations.
Phase 1 PVCs have already been processed and distributed to local government collection centres. After the seven-day ward-level exercise, further collection will continue at INEC Local Government Area offices. The commission stressed that PVCs cannot be collected by proxy, in line with the Electoral Act.
The display of the preliminary register is required under Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which mandates INEC to exhibit the voter register not less than 90 days before the general elections.
Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State House of Assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.
INEC has urged eligible voters to check their status online via its voter verification portal and to collect their cards promptly to avoid disenfranchisement.
The Igueben Local Government Chairman allegedly led a team of gun-toting assailants in an attack on the entourage of Kenneth Imasuangbon and Edo Central ADC Senatorial candidate Hon. Herbeta Okonofua on Tuesday.
According to a statement by ADC State Publicity Secretary Chris Ojeikere, the attackers opened fire at the premises of the Enogie of Igueben, fatally shooting Jerry Oliha, a young man from ADC Ward 6. Oliha was rushed to Irrua Specialist Hospital, where doctors are fighting to save his life.
Jerry Oliha ward six Ebelle I given local government area. He’s a widower with five children
The shooting marks the third attack on the same entourage in a single day. Earlier incidents were reported at Ward 4 and Ward 5 of the local government area.
Ojeikere described the assault as the climax of a series of violent attacks on ADC members and infrastructure, linking them to threats allegedly made by Jarrett Tenebe.
Similar coordinated attacks, he said, had earlier been reported in Etsako East, Owan West, and Owan East, each purportedly directed by the respective local government chairmen.
Bullet casings recovered from the scene have been handed over to the police and the Enogie. Canopies, chairs, and musical instruments valued at millions of naira were destroyed at the palace premises.
The Divisional Police Officer of Igueben Local Government Area has been informed and is involved in the investigation. ADC said it would release a comprehensive report on the incidents shortly.
The minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike,says that he thinks about President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in January 2027 every time he sleeps.
Wike shared his emotions during a town hall meetings with the Rumueme and Apara kingdoms in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, on Monday.
“Each day I sleep, I am thinking about the president’s re-election. When I am eating, I think about the president’s re-election. Everything I am doing now is about the president’s re-election,” Wike said.
The former Rivers State governor said he was committed to ensuring Tinubu secured a second term in office and urged residents of the state to vote massively for the president in the 2027 election.
“Let us forget sentiment and vote for the person who has recognised the people of Rivers State with dividends of democracy and with several appointments.
“I know the re-election of Tinubu in 2027 will be easier than that of 2023. We should appreciate Tinubu and ensure he gets a massive number of votes. We can do it.” Said Wike.
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