The 2027 presidential ambitions of key contenders on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) suffered a setback on Wednesday after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) removed the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its portal as the party’s national chairman and national secretary respectively.
The development comes amid a leadership dispute within the party, which has attracted interest from leading presidential hopefuls including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Rotimi Amaechi ahead of the 2027 general election.
INEC also said it would not recognise Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is seeking to assume leadership of the party through the courts, as acting national chairman. The commission stated it would refrain from dealing with any faction pending the determination of the substantive case before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In a statement signed by National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the commission stressed its commitment to neutrality and urged political actors to avoid actions capable of disrupting preparations for the 2027 elections.
INEC explained that its decision followed a judgment by the Court of Appeal directing parties in the dispute to maintain the status quo ante bellum while the case remains before the trial court. As part of compliance with the order, the commission said it would suspend recognition of the Mark-led National Working Committee and avoid monitoring party meetings, congresses or conventions organised by any faction.
The electoral body confirmed receiving conflicting legal communications from representatives of the warring camps, including a letter cautioning against recognising Gombe as acting chairman and another demanding the removal of Mark and Aregbesola from its records.
INEC noted that the leadership dispute began after the resignation of the Ralph Nwosu-led executive in July 2025, which the Mark-led group claimed created a new leadership structure. Gombe, however, contested the claim, arguing that as the only remaining national vice chairman, he should automatically assume the chairmanship.
According to the commission, the names of the Mark-led executive were uploaded to its portal on September 9, 2025—seven days after the lawsuit challenging the leadership emerged—making their removal necessary to comply with the appellate court’s preservatory orders
INEC further announced that it would suspend official dealings with all factions of the party until the Federal High Court delivers a final ruling, effectively freezing its relationship with the ADC leadership for now. The decision is expected to deepen uncertainty within the party as preparations gradually begin for the 2027 election cycle
