ADC chairmen demand Mark’s removal; threaten protest against INEC
African Democratic Congress Forum Calls for Removal of Interim Leadership from INEC Portal
The National Executive Committee Chairmen Forum of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove Senator David Mark and members of his recently dissolved Interim National Working Committee from its official records. The forum threatened to initiate nationwide protests if the commission does not comply with a recent court ruling regarding the party’s leadership crisis.
During a press conference in Abuja on Friday, forum secretary Kennedy Odion made the formal request, which includes replacing the names of the interim leaders with those of Nafiu Bala Gombe and other officials deemed legally recognized by the party.
Odion’s statements followed a ruling by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which invalidated the leadership of the Mark-led interim committee. The court’s decision invalidated all actions taken by this leadership, including the nomination of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate, along with other candidates selected in congresses and national conventions.
“The judgment confirms our position that the interim leadership was not constitutionally recognized,” Odion stated. “We, the only legally recognized NEC members, fully endorse the judgment declaring Alhaji Nafiu Bala Gombe as the authentic national chairman of the ADC.”
He emphasized that failure to follow the court’s ruling would leave the forum with no choice but to organize a protest against INEC, asserting that no individual is above the law in Nigeria.
Odion also claimed that the ruling negated the candidacies of Atiku and his running mate, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, as well as other candidates who emerged under the interim leadership.
The ADC has been embroiled in a leadership dispute between the interim committee led by Mark and Gombe’s faction. This ongoing conflict has already led to a Federal High Court ruling on April 29, 2026, which affirmed the legitimacy of elected state executive committees until valid congresses and a national convention are held. The Court of Appeal upheld this decision on June 13, 2026.
Despite these rulings, Odion alleged that INEC continued to recognize the Mark-led leadership and the candidates produced through its processes. He noted that the forum had sought legal solutions to the dispute rather than escalating tensions among party members.
In closing, Odion commended the judiciary for its role and expressed confidence in the new leadership under Gombe, stating that it would strive to restore stability within the party.
