ADC Chairmen Demand Mark Removal; INEC Must Recognize Gombe Leadership

• A forum of ADC chairmen has demanded the removal of Senator David Mark.
• The group is pressuring INEC to replace currently recognized party officials with Nafiu Bala Gombe and other individuals they deem legally recognized, a position recently supported by a Federal High Court ruling, though it is under appeal.
• The chairmen have threatened to protest against INEC if their demands are not met.
• This situation highlights an ongoing leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress in Nigeria, with recent court developments.
• INEC's decision on recognizing party officials is crucial for the ADC's legal standing and electoral participation.

Lawyers advising political parties or involved in election litigation in Nigeria should monitor the ongoing leadership dispute within the ADC, particularly regarding INEC's stance on recognizing specific officials, as this could impact future electoral processes and party legitimacy, potentially leading to legal challenges regarding candidate eligibility or party representation.

A coalition of chairmen from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a forceful set of demands, signaling a significant internal power struggle within the party. This forum of ADC chairmen has explicitly called for the removal of Senator David Mark from his position. Their demands extend beyond internal party changes, directly targeting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The group is pressuring INEC to officially update its records by replacing the names of currently recognized party officials. Specifically, they insist that the commission substitute these names with those of Nafiu Bala Gombe and other individuals whom the chairmen's forum asserts are the legally recognized officials of the party. A Federal High Court ruling on November 5, 2026, subsequently sacked the Senator David Mark-led ADC leadership and recognized Nafiu Bala Gombe as the authentic leader of the party, though this judgment is subject to appeal. This move indicates a direct challenge to the legitimacy of the current leadership acknowledged by INEC.

Furthermore, the ADC chairmen have escalated their stance by threatening to organize protests against INEC. This threat underscores the gravity of their demands and their determination to see the commission comply with their requests regarding the official recognition of party leadership. The impending protests highlight the high stakes involved in this ongoing dispute over the party's legitimate representatives.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) plays a pivotal role in the administration of political parties and the electoral process in Nigeria. Its responsibility includes the official recognition and registration of political parties, as well as maintaining records of their leadership structures. The demand from the ADC chairmen for INEC to replace names of officials directly challenges the commission's current understanding and official documentation of the party's leadership.

INEC's recognition of party officials is not merely an administrative formality; it is fundamental to a party's legal standing and its ability to participate in elections. Without official recognition from INEC, a faction or group within a party cannot legitimately field candidates or engage in other electoral activities. The insistence by the chairmen's forum that Nafiu Bala Gombe and others are "legally recognized" officials implies that they believe the current INEC-recognized leadership lacks proper legal authority, setting the stage for a potential legal battle over party legitimacy.

The threat of protest against INEC places the commission in a difficult position, requiring it to navigate an internal party dispute while upholding its mandate as an impartial regulatory body. Any decision by INEC regarding the recognition of ADC officials could have far-reaching consequences for the party's internal stability and its future electoral prospects, potentially leading to further legal challenges or political unrest.

This unfolding situation within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) highlights a significant instance of Nigerian political party internal conflict, which has recently seen a Federal High Court ruling on November 5, 2026, sack the Senator David Mark-led leadership and recognize Nafiu Bala Gombe as the authentic leader, a decision that is currently under appeal. The dispute over who constitutes the legitimate leadership, particularly the call for Senator David Mark's removal and the push for Nafiu Bala Gombe's recognition, could severely destabilize the party. Such internal strife often distracts from policy formulation and electoral campaigning, ultimately impacting the party's effectiveness and public perception.

The resolution of this ADC leadership dispute in Nigeria will also serve as a crucial test for INEC's role in mediating or responding to internal party challenges. How the commission handles the demand for official recognition of new officials will influence future interactions between political parties and the electoral body. A clear and consistent approach from INEC is essential to maintain confidence in the electoral system and prevent similar disputes from escalating into broader political crises.

Lawyers advising political parties or involved in election litigation in Nigeria should monitor the ongoing leadership dispute within the ADC, particularly regarding INEC's stance on recognizing specific officials, as this could impact future electoral processes and party legitimacy, potentially leading to legal challenges regarding candidate eligibility or party representation. The integrity of the party's participation in the democratic process is at stake.

Lawyers advising political parties or involved in election litigation in Nigeria should monitor the ongoing leadership dispute within the ADC, particularly regarding INEC's stance on recognizing specific officials, as this could impact future electoral processes and party legitimacy, potentially leading to legal challenges regarding candidate eligibility or party representation.

Source: Original reporting via Vanguard News