The leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has intensified, with the faction led by former Senate President David Mark returning to court to challenge its derecognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Mark and members of the party’s National Working Committee filed a motion before the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking an order compelling INEC to restore their recognition and reinstate their names on its official portal.
The move follows INEC’s decision to remove the names of key party officials after a Court of Appeal ruling directing parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum, a directive that has sparked conflicting interpretations among rival factions.
Mark’s legal team argued that the electoral body misinterpreted the court order, insisting that the directive referred to the last uncontested leadership structure, which they claim was led by Mark at the time the suit was filed.
They also requested an accelerated hearing of the case, warning that the ongoing leadership uncertainty could disrupt the party’s internal administration and political activities ahead of future elections.
Meanwhile, tensions escalated at INEC headquarters in Abuja as a rival faction, led by Rafiu Bala Gombe and supported by lawmaker Leke Abejide, staged a counter-protest demanding recognition of Gombe as the party’s national chairman.
The protesters argued that the Court of Appeal’s directive supports Gombe’s claim to leadership and urged INEC to restore his name to its records in line with the ruling.
INEC, responding to the protest, said it would review the submissions made by the group and respond accordingly, maintaining a cautious stance amid the dispute.
Political figures, including Segun Sowunmi and Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, criticised attempts to pressure the electoral body through protests, stressing that legal processes and not public demonstrations, should resolve the crisis.
They warned that escalating political tensions and parallel leadership claims could undermine party stability and broader democratic processes if not urgently addressed through the courts.
