The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has deleted the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as National Chairman and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), respectively.
The Commission also stated that it would not recognize Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is seeking to emerge as national chairman through the courts.
INEC, in a statement issued on Wednesday, said it has suspended recognition of all factions within the party and will not monitor any conventions or congresses organized by groups loyal to the affected leaders.
According to the electoral body, the directive will remain in force pending the final determination of a substantive suit before the Federal High Court.
The decision follows a lingering leadership crisis within the ADC, worsened by a recent judgment of the Court of Appeal in Suit No. CA/ABJ/145/2026.
INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said the Commission remains neutral in the dispute and urged stakeholders to avoid actions that could disrupt preparations for the 2027 general elections.
He disclosed that INEC received a letter dated March 16, 2026, from Suleiman Usman SAN & Co., cautioning against recognizing Gombe as acting national chairman while legal proceedings are ongoing.
The Commission also confirmed receipt of a separate “Demand for Enforcement” from Summit Law Chambers, representing Gombe, which called for the removal of Mark and Aregbesola from its records and urged it to stop recognizing their authority.
INEC noted that the conflicting legal positions from the rival factions have deepened the crisis, forcing it to suspend all official engagements with the party until the courts resolve the dispute.
