The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified its position following the Court of Appeal’s judgment in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026 involving Senator David Mark and Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, amid ongoing leadership disputes within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

In a statement, the Commission confirmed receipt of two separate letters dated March 16, 2026, from legal representatives of opposing parties in the dispute. One of the letters, from Suleiman Usman SAN & Co., written on behalf of concerned stakeholders within the ADC, urged INEC not to recognise Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe as Acting National Chairman.

The request cited a pending case before the Federal High Court, Abuja (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025), where the party’s leadership is currently being contested. In contrast, a second letter from Summit Law Chambers, representing Hon. Gombe, called on the Commission to enforce the judgment of the Court of Appeal.

The legal team attached a Certified True Copy of the ruling and requested INEC to cease recognition of Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.

They also asked the Commission to remove their names from its official portal and refrain from recognising any actions taken by them on behalf of the party. The dispute escalated further with another letter dated March 27, 2026, in which Summit Law Chambers accused INEC of disobeying the Court of Appeal’s orders.

The allegations included inviting Senator David Mark’s faction to a political parties’ meeting on March 24 and monitoring a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting reportedly held by the group. The legal representatives also referenced motions filed in December 2025 seeking to restrain the ADC from holding meetings or conventions, and to prevent INEC from recognising or participating in such activities pending the determination of the case.

They consequently urged the Commission to invalidate the NEC meeting held on March 25, remove the faction’s details from its portal, and allow Hon. Gombe to oversee the party’s affairs until the court delivers a final ruling. INEC, however, noted that the Court of Appeal, in its judgment delivered on March 12, 2026, dismissed an interlocutory appeal filed by Senator David Mark.

The appellate court also issued preservatory orders aimed at ensuring that the subject matter of the dispute before the trial court is not compromised.

The Commission emphasised that its actions will remain guided by the rule of law and ongoing judicial processes as the leadership tussle within the ADC continues.