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BREAKING: INEC Withdraws Recognition of David Mark’s ADC

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has withdrawn its recognition of the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing a recent judgment of the Court of Appeal.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.

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Politics

I will concede defeat if 2027 election is credible — Obi

However, Obi maintained that he won the 2023 presidential election, saying those who conducted the poll knew what happened.

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The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has declared that he will concede defeat in the 2027 presidential election if the poll is free, fair and credible.

Obi stated this in an interview aired on Arise TV on Thursday, saying he would respect the will of Nigerians if they chose another candidate.

“If the election is free, fair and credible, I will because it’s an election. It’s the people that would say who they want to serve, and I will respect the will of the people; that’s democracy,” he said.

However, Obi maintained that he won the 2023 presidential election, saying those who conducted the poll knew what happened.

“I did, and I will maintain that as long as I live that I won the 2023 election. Those who conducted it know the records; they know why there was a glitch and what happened,” he said.

Fielding question on what about “turn-by-turn” presidency, Obi said elections should not be determined by tribe or religion.

“Election should not be driven by tribe or religion. Today, in terms of qualification, I’m qualified to be president of Nigeria. I have the competence; I have been all over the world studying what it takes to be president of a country, and I know what I can do to turn around this country in the right direction.”

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Trump promises $5,000 ‘dividend’ to U.S. citizens if Republicans win midterms

It is estimated that the total proposed “Trump dividend” payout would cost more than $1 trillion — raising questions about how such an expense would be funded and its impact on fiscal strain facing the Federal budget.

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U.S. President Donald Trump has promised every adult American citizen a $5,000 “dividend” if the Republicans are victorious at the upcoming midterm elections.

Americans will vote in the midterms in early November, with the Democrats currently projected to win control of the House of Representatives.

Such a result would likely create barriers to Trump’s legislative agenda and send a signal about public opinion on the president’s policy mix throughout his second presidential term.

“Here is my promise: if the Republicans win the House of Representatives and the United States Senate, both of them… because of our tremendous strength and success economically, I will issue a dividend to every adult citizen in the United States of America for $5,000,” he told a crowd at the GOP’s midterm convention in Dallas.

“I’m asking you to pretend that I’m on the ballot,” he added.

It is estimated that the total proposed “Trump dividend” payout would cost more than $1 trillion — raising questions about how such an expense would be funded and its impact on fiscal strain facing the Federal budget.

The potential payout compares to the $1.27 trillion the U.S.

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Benue Politician,Terhemba Shija Vows To Bring Back Home Over 900,000 in IDP Camps

Shija, while describing IDP camps as ranching human beings, said, ” First of all, I have to rescue them from this situation. They have to go back to their land. They have to resume their farming. They have to resume their normal life.

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The governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Benue State, Prof. Terhemba Shija, promises to reset the state if he wins the 2027 governorship election.

Shija gave the assurance during an appearance on ARISE News on Wednesday, declaring unacceptable – 900,000 people in Benue State currently living in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in the state.

Benue State has an official census population of 4,253,641 from 2006, with recent projections estimating the population to be over 6 million people.

Shija, while describing IDP camps as ranching human beings, said “First of all, I have to rescue them from this situation. They have to go back to their land. They have to resume their farming. They have to resume their normal life. We can’t continue normalising what is happening. And once you rescue them, then you set a programme for restructuring. You make sure that Benue is reset afresh.”

“As it is now, this state is in a state of disrepair. The state is no longer in the hands of the owners of the states. Most of over 900,000 people are living in IDP camps. You should know that Benue state is an agrarian state,”he said.

He emphasised “70% of the people of Benue are farmers. They can’t farm. Their land has been taken over by invaders.

Shija, blames the situation on “Herdsmen have taken over Benue land. And these people are living in IDP camps. Now the government has intended to introduce ranching. They have ended up ranching human beings. Human beings are now in IDP camps. And they are at the mercy of people in government.”

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