2027: INEC withdraws recognition for Mark-led ADC NWC

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The political landscape took a dramatic turn yesterday with a big blow to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) withdrew recognition for the growing opposition party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

The electoral body declared that it would not recognise or monitor the activities of any faction within the party until the legal dispute is resolved.

INEC removed the names of National Chairman Senator David Mark, National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, and other members of the NWC from its website, where they were previously listed as ADC leaders.

The commission further stated that it would not recognise the leadership of self-declared factional chairman Nafiu Bala Gombe nor monitor any activities conducted by any ADC faction, in compliance with the judgment of the Court of Appeal.

National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, stated this in a statement. But the ADC rejected the interpretation of the court judgment by INEC, which led to its action.

The commission resolved “to maintain the status quo ante bellum as directed by the Court of Appeal based on the facts and position of the parties existing before 2nd September 2025, when the case was filed by the plaintiff”.

INEC added: “That the Commission would, in accordance with the Order of the Court of Appeal in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026, refrain from taking any step or doing any act capable of foisting a fait accompli on the court or otherwise rendering nugatory the proceedings before the trial court, having regard to all the processes filed before the trial court. Nation