By Ihechi Enyinnaya
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will maintain neutrality and uphold the status quo in the leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following a recent ruling by the Court of Appeal.
The Commission disclosed this in a statement issued on April 1, 2026, in response to conflicting demands from parties involved in the legal tussle between David Mark and Nafiu Bala Gombe over the party’s leadership.
INEC said it received separate letters from legal representatives of both factions. While one group urged the Commission not to recognise Gombe as acting national chairman due to a pending suit at the Federal High Court, the other demanded enforcement of the Court of Appeal judgment, including the withdrawal of recognition for Mark and other party officials.
The Commission also noted allegations from Gombe’s camp that INEC had disobeyed court orders by engaging with Mark’s faction, including inviting them to a political parties’ meeting and monitoring their activities.
However, INEC clarified that the Court of Appeal, in its judgment delivered on March 12, 2026, ordered all parties to maintain the “status quo ante bellum” and avoid actions that could prejudice the ongoing case before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
According to the Commission, the dispute stems from events following the resignation of the previous ADC leadership in July 2025, which led to the emergence of a National Working Committee headed by Mark. Gombe, who was then Vice-National Chairman, has challenged the arrangement in court, claiming he should have succeeded as chairman in line with the party’s constitution.
INEC stated that, after reviewing the judgment and ongoing legal proceedings, it resolved at its March 31 meeting to strictly comply with the appellate court’s directive by reverting to the situation that existed before the suit was filed in September 2025.
As part of this decision, the Commission said it would remove the names of the current National Working Committee led by Mark from its official portal and refrain from recognising any faction as the legitimate leadership of the party pending the final determination of the case.
The electoral body also declined requests to install Gombe as acting chairman and announced it would no longer engage with any of the disputing groups or monitor party activities, including meetings, congresses, or conventions, until the court delivers a final judgment.
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to impartiality and adherence to judicial orders, urging political stakeholders to act responsibly and avoid actions that could disrupt preparations for the 2027 general elections.