Nigeria’s electoral body, the , has removed the names of and from its official portal as National Chairman and National Secretary of the (ADC), respectively, in a move that underscores the deepening leadership crisis within the party.
The decision, announced on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, follows escalating disputes among rival factions of the party and mounting political tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC also declared that it would suspend recognition of all factions within the ADC and refrain from monitoring any conventions, congresses, or activities organised by groups aligned with the contending leaders. The Commission emphasized that this position would remain until the final determination of a substantive suit currently before the Federal High Court.
Despite the ongoing contest for leadership, INEC stated that it would not recognise , who is seeking to be declared national chairman through the courts.
The development comes barely a day after protests in Abuja by individuals calling on the Commission to withdraw recognition from the Mark-led faction of the party.
In a statement, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, , reiterated INEC’s commitment to neutrality and urged political stakeholders to avoid actions capable of disrupting preparations for the 2027 elections.
INEC disclosed that it had received multiple legal correspondences from opposing factions. A letter dated March 16, 2026, from Suleiman Usman SAN & Co warned against recognising Gombe as acting national chairman while legal proceedings remain ongoing. Conversely, Summit Law Chambers, representing Gombe, submitted a “Demand for Enforcement” urging the Commission to remove Mark and Aregbesola from its records and cease engagement with their faction.
The Commission noted that the conflicting legal claims and the recent judgment of the Court of Appeal in Suit No. CA/ABJ/145/2026 have further complicated the crisis, necessitating its decision to halt all official dealings with the party until the courts provide clarity.
The situation has reportedly created uncertainty within the ADC, with concerns among party members and observers about its stability as a major opposition platform ahead of the next general elections.
