The leadership tussle within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has escalated, with former Senate President David Mark seeking judicial intervention to overturn the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw recognition of his faction.
Mark and his allies have approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, asking it to compel INEC to restore their names—alongside that of Rauf Aregbesola—to its official records. The electoral body had removed them following a Court of Appeal directive to maintain the “status quo ante bellum,” a move that has intensified the party’s internal crisis.
The dispute stems from a competing leadership claim by Nafiu Bala Gombe, which triggered a series of legal battles. Although a Federal High Court initially declined to grant an injunction against Mark’s leadership, the appellate court later ordered an expedited hearing of the substantive case while maintaining the pre-dispute status—an interpretation INEC relied on to delist the Mark-led executives.
In response, Mark’s legal team, led by Sulaiman Usman (SAN), argues that INEC misapplied the court order, creating a leadership vacuum and undermining the party’s operations. They are seeking mandatory injunctions to reinstate the National Working Committee and restrain INEC from recognising any rival leadership pending the final determination of the suit.
Beyond the courtroom, the crisis has drawn wider political attention. PDP chieftain Tanimu Turaki described a recent meeting between PDP and ADC leaders as a moment of “shared concern” over threats to opposition politics. The gathering included figures such as Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, who discussed the challenges facing opposition parties and the need for unity.
Meanwhile, Senator Victor Umeh has strongly criticised INEC’s actions, accusing its leadership of deliberately undermining the ADC. He insisted that courts lack jurisdiction over internal party affairs, citing past Supreme Court rulings and recent amendments to the Electoral Act.
Despite the legal uncertainty, ADC founder Ralph Nwosu has maintained that the party will proceed with its scheduled congresses and convention.
The unfolding legal and political battle now raises broader concerns about party autonomy, judicial intervention, and the stability of opposition politics in Nigeria.
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