ADC Factions Besiege INEC, Mark Camp Heads To Court

The crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) took another dimension over the week as the two factions dragging the party’s soul staged protests at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Abuja.

First was the David Mark-led faction of the ADC, which besieged the commission’s headquarters. He was accompanied by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Governors Peter Obi, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Rauf Aregbesola(factional ADC national secretary), among many others.

The protest followed INEC’s de-recognition of Mark’s leadership of the opposition coalition party.

During the demonstration tagged #OccupyINEC, they accused the electoral body of undermining democracy and interfering in the party’s internal affairs.

Similarly, a faction led by Nafiu Gombe also staged a protest at INEC’s headquarters, demanding official recognition.

Gombe, joined by Kogi lawmaker Leke Abejide and hundreds of supporters, accused the Mark-led faction of attempting to unlawfully seize control of the party in violation of its constitution and established processes.

Speaking during the protest, Gombe urged the electoral commission to adhere strictly to due process in resolving the dispute.

Responding on behalf of the commission, INEC National Commissioner, Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, assured the protesters that their concerns would be considered.

Meanwhile, the Mark camp approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking the overturn of a decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that removed key party officials from its records.

In a motion filed on 7 April by his counsel, Sulaiman Usman (SAN), Mark urged Justice Emeka Nwite to grant a mandatory injunction compelling INEC to restore the names of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) members pending the determination of the substantive suit.

He also asked the court to set aside INEC’s refusal to monitor or attend the ADC’s congresses and convention, arguing that such actions undermine the party’s operations

Specifically, Mark is seeking an order directing INEC to immediately reinstate and maintain the names of himself, Aregbesola, and other members of the National Executive Committee in its official records.

He further requested that the court restrain the electoral body from recognising or acting on any rival leadership claims until the case is resolved.

Meanwhile, the factional leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under Kabiru Tanimu Turaki visited the Mark group of ADC.

The high-level delegation, led by prominent PDP figures, visited ADC leaders to express concern over what both parties described as increasing pressure and “targeted attacks” on opposition platforms in Nigeria.

During the meeting, the PDP delegation acknowledged what it described as a shared and growing threat confronting opposition parties, noting that similar political pressures have recently affected its own internal structure and operations.

In another development, some state chapters of ADC have suspended their congresses and other activities, following the derecognition of the party’s factional leadership by INEC, while the exercise was stopped by courts in other states, such as Adamawa, Katsina and Anambra, while some states, including Borno and Ebonyi, went ahead with the congresses.

On the other hand, the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, set aside the judgment of a Federal High Court, Abuja, which had affirmed Dr Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe as the authentic national chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The unanimous judgment of the three-member appellate court panel in CA/ABJ/CV/126/2026 was filed by an aggrieved party, Fayemi Tosin Babatunde.

According to the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment, made available to journalists in Abuja, the appellant approached the court to challenge the validity of the Ekiti State governorship primary election.

Babatunde argued that the leadership responsible for organising the process was not authentic and lacked the legal authority to appoint an Electoral Committee.

The appellant’s grievances centred on the National Working Committee (NWC), led by Dr Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe and Dr Olu Agunleye, alleging that the leadership was “illegally constituted” and had failed to comply with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act in conducting the primaries.

The appellant had sought court orders prohibiting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising candidates produced by the disputed leadership.

The Appeal Court held that the decision on Dr Sadiq Abubakar Gombe being the authentic leader of the SDP, “having been made without jurisdiction and been perverse is set aside.

For the ruling party, the Bauchi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has expressed readiness to receive the state governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, as he prepares to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

This was disclosed by members of the Bauchi State APC Caucus after a meeting with Governor Mohammed at his Abuja residence.

It will be recalled that the caucus had earlier constituted a committee to address issues surrounding the governor’s planned defection, which had generated concerns among stakeholders.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting, the Secretary of the Bauchi State APC Caucus and member representing Toro Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Dabo Isma’il, confirmed that the discussions centered on the governor’s planned move to the APC.

This is just as the Election Sub-committee of the just concluded 2026 APC National Convention presented certificates of return to the newly elected National Working Committee (NWC) members and non-NWC national officers of the party.

Chairman of the Sub-committee, who also chaired the National Convention Central Coordination Committee,

Hon. Aminu Masari, Secretary of the panel, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe state and other members of the committee, notably former Speaker Yakubu Dogara, made the presentation at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

Those who received the Certificates of Return include National Chairman – Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda;

Deputy National Chairman (North) – Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori; Deputy National Chairman (South) – Dr Benjamin Nwoye;

National Secretary – Sen. Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru;

Deputy National Secretary – Prof. AbdulKarim Abubakar Kana; National Vice Chairman (South-South)  – Hon. Victor Giadom, and National Vice Chairman (South-East) – Dr Ijeomah Arodiogbu, among others.