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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has shrugged off recent setbacks by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and insisted it will proceed with its scheduled congresses.
The party, in a statement signed by its National Organising Secretary, Chinedu Idigo, and the National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, released on Friday, described the removal of its national chairman, David Mark, from INEC’s portal as “illegal actions”.
“This is to notify all party members that, despite INEC’s illegal actions, the African Democratic Congress will continue with its congresses as scheduled, having duly notified INEC by our letters dated 27th February 2026 and 28th March 2026,” the statement read.
Political aspirants for the upcoming 2027 election will undergo screening on 7 April, followed by appeals on 8 April, while polling units, wards, and local government congresses are slated for 9 April. The ADC also fixed its state congresses for 11 April and subsequent appeals on 12 April.
Nigeria’s electoral umpire announced on Wednesday that it would cease to recognise the former senator David Mark-led faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and that of Nafiu Bala, who claims he ought to be the party’s national chairman.
The ADC has been facing a leadership tussle between factions: one led by Mark and another rival faction that claims to lead the party. A Court of Appeal judgment on the party’s leadership dispute said the party should maintain the status quo ante bellum, which means the situation as it was before the case began, while the matter continues in a lower court.
The party rejected INEC’s decision. Mark argued that there is no legal basis for INEC to de-recognise the party, insisting that the commission misinterpreted the appellate court’s directive.
At the centre of the ADC’s internal leadership crisis is Nafiu Gombe’s alleged resignation. Bala has been involved in the party’s internal leadership structure and has served on its National Working Committee.
ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi said Gombe had resigned his position as a member of the party’s National Working Committee, effective May 26, 2025. But Bala has denied the claim and is claiming leadership of the party.
