TD Abuja, Nigeria – The Court of Appeal has delivered a decisive ruling in the ongoing leadership tussle within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The appellate court barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising congresses and other official activities organised by the faction led by former Senate President David Mark.
Court Decision
In its judgment, the appellate court upheld an earlier ruling of the Federal High Court, which had restrained INEC from engaging with the Mark-led faction.
The appeal filed by David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola was dismissed on grounds of lacking merit.
By affirming the lower court’s decision, the Court of Appeal has effectively barred INEC from recognising the faction’s leadership for party congresses, candidate nominations, and other electoral activities.
The court also imposed a ₦10 million cost against David Mark and Aregbesola, underscoring the weight of the ruling.
Implications for ADC
The judgment marks a significant development in the ADC’s leadership crisis.
The crisis has seen rival factions battling for control of the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
With INEC barred from recognising the Mark-led faction, the ruling strengthens the position of the rival leadership structure.
It also reshapes the party’s internal dynamics.
Analysts say the decision could influence the ADC’s preparations for the next electoral cycle, particularly in candidate selection and congress organisation.
Possible Next Steps
While the Court of Appeal’s ruling is binding, it remains unclear whether the affected faction will escalate the matter to the Supreme Court.
Such a move could prolong the leadership crisis and further complicate the ADC’s readiness for the 2027 polls.
The ADC, traditionally seen as a smaller but influential political party, has faced internal divisions in recent years.
The involvement of high-profile figures such as David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola has amplified the stakes, drawing national attention to the dispute.
Broader Context
Observers note that the ruling highlights the judiciary’s role in resolving intra-party conflicts and ensuring that INEC operates within the boundaries of legal recognition.
The Appeal Court’s decision barring INEC from recognising the David Mark-led ADC faction represents a turning point in the party’s leadership crisis.
With ₦10 million in costs awarded against Mark and Aregbesola, the ruling sends a strong signal about the judiciary’s stance on factional disputes.
As the ADC navigates this new reality, the party’s ability to unify and prepare for the 2027 general elections will be closely watched.
The Nafiu Bala Gombe Conundrum
Earlier in the day, This Dawn News reported that ADC was plunged into fresh crisis following claims by a faction led by Mr. Nafiu Bala Gombe that it successfully uploaded the names of a presidential candidate and other nominees to the INEC nomination portal.
The development has triggered alarm within the party’s recognized leadership and raised questions about INEC’s neutrality ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Read details below:
