The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is currently under pressure over the leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), following conflicting legal demands from rival factions in the party.
New Telegraph reports that the dispute follows a Court of Appeal judgment involving David Mark and Nafixwszu Bala Gombe, with both sides offering sharply different interpretations of the ruling.
In a letter dated March 16, 2026, Suleiman Usman SAN & Co. cautioned the electoral body against recognising Gombe as Acting National Chairman, stating that the matter remains before the Federal High Court.
“The question of the leadership of the party is presently being contested before the Federal High Court, Abuja,” the legal firm wrote, urging INEC “not to recognise Mr Nafiu Bala Gombe as Acting National Chairman.”
However, Summit Law Chambers, representing Gombe, took a different stance, urging the Commission to enforce the appellate court’s decision.
READ ALSO:
“We hereby demand the enforcement of the judgment of the Court of Appeal… including ceasing recognition of Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Chairman and National Secretary respectively,” the firm stated.
The lawyers further requested that INEC remove the officials’ names from its portal and refrain from recognising any actions taken by their faction.
Tensions escalated days later when Summit Law Chambers accused INEC of defying court orders. In a follow-up letter dated March 27, the firm alleged that the Commission engaged with Mark’s faction despite the ruling.
“The Commission acted in disobedience of the orders of the Court of Appeal by inviting Senator David Mark’s group to a political party’s meeting and monitoring a purported NEC meeting,” the letter claimed.
The firm also referenced pending motions seeking to restrain the ADC from holding meetings and to stop INEC from recognising such activities.
“INEC should invalidate the NEC meeting… stop recognising or acknowledging correspondence from Senator David Mark’s group… and allow Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe to take over the affairs of the party pending the determination of the suit,” the lawyers added.
At the centre of the dispute is the Court of Appeal’s ruling delivered on March 12, 2026, which dismissed an interlocutory appeal filed by Mark while issuing preservatory orders.
“It is necessary to make preservatory orders to ensure that the subject matter of the dispute… is not prejudiced,” the court held, emphasizing its inherent powers to safeguard ongoing proceedings.
The conflicting interpretations of the ruling have placed INEC in a difficult position as it seeks to balance compliance with court directives and neutrality in party affairs.
The unfolding situation highlights the growing legal complexities surrounding internal party disputes and the challenges faced by electoral authorities in navigating them.
