ADC rejects INEC’s interpretation of A’Court judgment

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected the Independent National Electoral Commission’s i(INEC) nterpretation of the Court of Appeal ruling on the party’s leadership dispute.

The party claimed that the interpretation is contradictory and influenced by external pressure.

ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, made the position known in a statement issued on Wednesday, in reaction to INEC’s decision to delist the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

The INEC had moved to remove the names of Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its portal as National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC, respectively.

The electoral body said it is complying with a Court of Appeal’s order to maintain the status quo ante bellum in the ongoing leadership crisis between the Mark faction and a rival group led by Nafiu Bala, which both claim the party’s national structure.

Reacting, Abdullahi said INEC’s position does not reflect the facts of the case and raises concerns about impartiality.

“We reject INEC’s interpretation of the Court of Appeal ruling.

“We knew that INEC was being pressured by a government that has become jittery from the ADC’s rising momentum even in the face of its relentless assault on all opposition parties.

“INEC’s press statement is full of contradictions that fly in the face of both facts and reason. We shall clarify these contradictions for all to see. What is clear, however, is that INEC has caved to pressure and has chosen to side with the government against the Nigerian people,” the statement read.

Abdullahi said the party was reviewing its options and would announce its next steps in due course.

“We are currently reviewing our options, and we shall make these known soon.

“Meanwhile, we call on our members and all Nigerians to remain steadfast as they await further directives. Nigeria is rising. ADC is rising,” he added.

The INEC said the appellate court, in a judgment delivered on March 12, 2026, directed all parties to maintain the existing situation before the dispute arose and refrain from actions that could prejudice the outcome of the case.

“That the Commission would, in accordance with the Order of the Court of Appeal in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026 refrain from taking any step or doing any act capable of foisting a fait accompli on the court or otherwise rendering nugatory the proceedings before the trial court, having regard to all the processes filed before the trial Court,” the INEC statement read.

The commission explained that although the names of the current NWC members were uploaded on its portal on September 9, 2025, the action was taken after the suit had already been filed on September 2, 2025.

It noted that, in line with the court order, the names would now be removed pending the resolution of the matter.

The commission also rejected a request by Bala’s camp to recognise him as acting national chairman, stating that granting such a request would violate the court’s directive.

INEC added that it would suspend all engagements with the party’s factions, including monitoring of meetings, congresses, or conventions, until the court delivers a final ruling.