ADC: Uproar greets INEC’s axing of Mark, Aregbesola 

—With 90% of NASS, 30 govs, what are you afraid of — ADC blasts Tinubu

—Says INEC’s de-recognition signals deeper risks for Nigeria’s democracy

By Clifford Ndujihe, Dapo Akinrefon, Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Omeiza Ajayi, Steve Oko, Peter Duru, John Alechenu & Luminous Jannamike

LAGOS — A major political storm erupted across the country, yesterday, following the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to de-recognise Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Chairman and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

The development triggered sharp reactions across Nigeria’s political landscape, exposing deepening fault lines ahead of the 2027 general elections, with opposition parties alleging a coordinated attempt to weaken them, while the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Presidency dismissed such claims as baseless.

On a day that security operatives surrounded INEC headquarters in Abuja to avert protests from rival groups, the ADC took on INEC, the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and vowed to go ahead with its congresses and national convention in spite of the electoral umpire’s statement that it would not attend.

Stakeholders and groups who criticised the INEC’s move yesterday include 2023 Labour Party, LP, candidate and a chieftain of the ADC, Mr. Peter Obi; Afenifere, Middle-Belt Forum, Obidient Movement, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC; 

Specifically,  leaders of the ADC at a press briefing in Abuja led by Senator David Mark wondered what President Bola Tinubu is afraid of, despite having  90% of National Assembly, and 30 governors. The party said INEC’s de-recognition signals deeper risks for Nigeria’s democracy. It vowed to proceed with congresses despite INEC move. It alleged that the electoral commission’s action amounted to  was contempt of court, and demanded sack of the INEC leadership.

In a decisive response to the leadership tussle rocking the party and the recent judgment of the Court of Appeal in Suit No. CA/ABJ/145/2026, the commission, yesterday, announced it would cease all recognition of the duo and refrain from monitoring any conventions or congresses organised by their factions, pending the determination of the substantive suit before the Federal High Court. 

The electoral body said it would also not recognise one Nafiu Bala Gombe who had gone to court seeking to be made national chairman of the ADC.

Meanwhile, a joint detachment of defence, security and intelligence personnel yesterday formed a cordon around the vicinity of INEC headquarters on Zambezi Crescent, Maitama, Abuja, as part of measures to stave off clashes between two groups of protesters.

Men of the Nigeria Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and the State Security Service, SSS, were in the area monitoring developments and restricting access of people to the commission.

With 90% of NASS, 30 governors, what are you afraid of, ADC blasts Tinubu

Condemning  INEC’s decision, Mark and ADC leaders said at a press conference that it could shut the party out of key elections and point to a deeper threat to Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.

Mark said: “With 90% of the National Assembly and over 30 of Nigeria’s 36 Governors in the APC, President Tinubu, what are you afraid of? If you are convinced that you have done well for the people who voted for you, why are you afraid of a free, fair, and transparent electoral contest? If you are indeed the democrat that you claim to be, why are you bent on destroying all opposition political parties?” Mark asked.

The event, held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, quickly outgrew its main hall as supporters, activists, and party members turned out in large numbers, forcing organisers to move the briefing outside.

Among those present were former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; former governors Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Liyel Imoke, and Rauf Aregbesola; former Minister of Youth and Sports Development Solomon Dalung; Senator Dino Melaye; as well as members of the party’s National Working Committee and other opposition figures.

Mark said, “Since 1999, Nigeria has been under democratic rule. After 27 years, we thought we could proudly celebrate the entrenchment of democracy, believing that the country’s dictatorial past has receded into history. Our experience in the past three years or so has however confirmed otherwise.

“Democracy is only sustained by the quality of freedom that it offers and guarantees, especially the freedom to choose, the freedom to participate, and the freedom to associate. These freedoms are so critical to democracy that without them, democracy dies.

“Yet, in the past three years, we have witnessed a relentless assault on these very freedoms. The agenda is very clear, to create a situation where, in 2027, President Bola Tinubu emerges as the only option left for the people, despite the widespread suffering and wanton killings going on across the country.

“The twin challenges of deepening poverty, and worsening security situation in the country did not just happen. They are direct consequences of the failure of this government. They know Nigerians will not want this to continue. They know Nigerians will vote them out. This is why they would do anything to hang on to power by hook or crook.

“The coalition of opposition parties came about as a result of a collective search for democratic freedom and the desire to resist what was clearly a relentless assault on opposition political parties.

“The coalition leaders decided to come together under ADC to save multi-party democracy in Nigeria and rescue Nigeria from what was clearly an emerging dictatorship.

“We did not come to the ADC by chance. We did our due diligence. We fulfilled all the party’s constitutional requirements, as well as all wider requirements under the laws that guide the management and operation of political parties.

“One of the conclusions of that NEC meeting was the dissolution of the National Working Committee of the party, and the ratification of a caretaker committee to take over affairs of the party, with my humble self as the National Chairman; Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as the National Secretary,” he explained.

According to him, INEC was aware of the process.

“In addition to witnessing this process that brought in the new leadership of the party, a formal report of these resolutions was subsequently communicated to INEC. On September 9th, 2025, INEC then uploaded the names of the relevant NWC members of the party, based on the NEC resolutions,” he said.

Mark also addressed the dispute involving a former party official challenging the current leadership.

“One of the officials in the dissolved NWC resigned this position. His resignation was also duly transmitted to INEC. Regardless of his resignation, he decided to approach the courts seeking to be recognised as Chairman of the ADC.

“What this means is that INEC was already aware that Secretary Aregbesola and I had been inaugurated. INEC was also aware that he had resigned,” he added.

He noted that the matter is already before the courts.

“While this matter was in court, the Court of Appeal ordered the parties, including INEC, to maintain the status quo ante bellum,” Mark said.

But he accused INEC of misinterpreting that order.

“Based on its press statement, INEC is pretending to be confused as to what constitutes the status quo. If this was so, one would have expected INEC to approach the Court of Appeal. But it did not do this.

“There is no legal interpretation or precedent that could possibly lead to the outcome that INEC seeks to foist on our party,” he argued.

Mark said the commission’s action has created confusion within the party.

“What INEC has done is to create a situation that leaves the ADC without leadership. This certainly cannot be the status quo that the Court of Appeal directed should be preserved.

“It is an INEC invention that is not known to any Nigerian law.

“There is only one conclusion that Nigerians can draw from the April 1st action taken by INEC: ‘The electoral umpire has taken sides. It can no longer be trusted’,” he declared.

Mark further accused INEC of breaking the law.

“As a matter of fact, INEC has acted in contempt of the Court of Appeal and has therefore acted unlawfully,” he asserted.

The ADC warned that the decision could affect upcoming elections.

“By attempting to subvert the leadership of the ADC, INEC has already undermined our participation in the Osun and Ekiti elections taking place later this year,” Mark said.

Despite this, he said the party will move ahead with its plans.

“We have our congresses starting on the 9th of April, ending with our convention. We have given due notice to INEC, and they have acknowledged receipt of that notice. This is what the law requires of us.

“We are proceeding with our party programmes, because there is nothing under the law that makes INEC’s attendance a mandatory requirement,” he added.

The party also made a strong demand.

“We demand the immediate resignation or sack of the INEC Chairman and all the National Commissioners. We no longer have confidence in them. We are convinced that they are incapable of conducting any credible election,” Mark said.

“We call on the international community to take note of INEC’s actions. We urge them to recognise the clear threat to Nigeria’s democracy and stability, and to hold accountable those who are undermining the integrity of the electoral process.

“It is often said, that the arc of history does not bend towards tyranny. It bends towards freedom. And no matter how long the night may seem, the morning will come. Nigeria will not be silenced. Nigeria will not be conquered. Nigeria is rising, ADC is rising,” he emphasised.

INEC dismisses calls for chairman’s resignation

Meanwhile, INEC, yesterday, dismissed calls by some political actors for the removal of its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, describing such demands as unconstitutional and a threat to the independence of the electoral body.“INEC, in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, said the appointment and removal of its chairman are strictly governed by Section 157 of the 1999 Constitution, stressing that no individual or group can compel his removal outside due process.“The commission said its recent decisions, including compliance with a Court of Appeal judgment, were taken in line with the rule of law and to avoid situations that previously led to the removal of elected officials in states such as Zamfara and Plateau.“

It explained that its decision not to monitor activities of a faction of the  ADC, was based on existing court orders restraining such action, adding that disobedience would amount to contempt.

INEC also refuted allegations of partisanship, noting that it has continued to expand the democratic space with the registration of new political parties, bringing the total number of recognised parties to 22.

You’re authors of your fate’, APC blasts Mark, Aregbesola 

Responding, the APC through its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, in a tweet, described the emergence of former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola as an irregular takeover that has steered the party towards inevitable disaster.

“When its factional leadership under the duo of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola parachuted into the party like thoughtless and planless commandos, and hijacked the party in violent violation of its constitutional stipulations regarding leadership succession, and in disregard of the rule of law, the ADC set its own date with destiny.

ADC had accused the President Bola Tinubu-led APC administration of being jittery over its rising profile despite having over 30 state governors.

Morka in another statement said quite apart from being an assembly of Nigeria’s most confused and desperate politicians, the ADC has distinguished itself as a peddler of rabid conspiracy theories about what the APC is or is not doing to undermine the party.

According to him, the ADC is a party that never was. “By design, it was a kamikaze contraption with a “follow-come” self-destructive detonator. It had to unravel and now unraveling fast by installment”.  

“The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC’s decision to de-recognize   the factional David Mark-led executives in compliance with judgment of court, is valid in law, justified in fact, and consistent with electoral policy and democratic practice. It is the consequence of the Party’s reckless and desperate misadventure.

“It is therefore highly escapist and irresponsible for the ADC to blame the APC for its internal woes of which they are the sole architects”, he said.

APC said the ADC’s unwillingness to take responsibility for its miserable failure to follow due process, order its internal affairs, and manage its self-inflicted crisis makes ADC grossly unfit as platform to be taken seriously by Nigerians. A party that cannot fix itself cannot possibly fix Nigeria.

ADC needs education on meaning of ‘status quo antebellum’ — Presidency

In like manner, the Presidency advised the Senator Mark-led ADC to consult a dictionary to identify the meanings of “status quo antebellum” and “status quo.”

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, gave the advice when asked to react to the allegation by the ADC that President Bola Tinubu is trying to destroy opposition political parties and does not want a contest in 2027.

Although the Presidency said it aligned with the response by the leadership of the APC to the allegation against the President by Senator David Mark, it directed the ADC to read a dictionary to know the difference between “status quo antebellum” and “status quo.”

“The party has responded to David Mark. We are not adding anything to what the party has said,” the Presidency stated.

“What I would just advise them to do is for the ADC to go and read the dictionary to find out the meaning of ‘status quo antebellum’ versus what ‘status quo’ means.

“Apparently, their (ADC) reaction is not based on a very good understanding of what these terms mean. That’s my advice to them. The party has responded very well, and I have nothing to add.

“They need to be educated; they need some education. Go and read the dictionary: what ‘status quo’ means and what ‘status quo antebellum’ means,” Onanuga stated.

Abacha more democratic than NADECO activists – Peter Obi

However, Mr Peter Obi declared late Gen Sani Abacha, who was head of state from 1993 to 1998, as more democratic than those who claimed to have fought for democracy, especially through the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO. 

In a post on his X (Twitter) handle, Obi said: , “Yesterday defenders of democracy, today’s destroyers. What a shame.

“What an irony of history, that the acclaimed defenders of democracy and human rights, who claimed to have fought for democracy during the era of General Sani Abacha, now find themselves worse than the man they opposed.

“Today, General Sani Abacha, once presumed face of oppression, will be remembered as seemingly more democratic and more respectful of human rights than the so-called champions of activism from the NADECO days.

“Power indeed reveals character.”

Opposition accuses INEC of meddling in ADC’s internal affairs

Former National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Chief Peter Ameh described INEC’s action as part of a larger plot by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to contest the 2027 general elections unchallenged.

He said: “INEC has removed every vestige of impartiality; it has demonstrated how far it’s prepared to go to do the ruling party’s bidding and destabilize the opposition.

“It is now clear for all to see why politicians are rushing from their parties to join the ruling party.

“The question to ask President Tinubu and his APC is why are you still afraid of a free and fair contest?”

Speaking in a similar vein, a public affairs commentator, Engr. Obi Njoku, noted that he and several Nigerians of good will had raised alarms over the ruling party’s obsession with the internal processes of political parties, which was displayed during the amendment of the Electoral Act.

According to him, the ruling party’s plot to ambush Nigerians and its attempts to foist a one party state on citizens has almost run full cycle.

Security beef up at INEC over threats of protests

 A joint detachment of defence, security and intelligence personnel yesterday mounted a cordon around the vicinity of the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC on Zambezi Crescent, Maitama – Abuja, as part of measures to stave off clashes between two group of protesters.

Men of the Nigeria Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and the State Security Service SSS were in the area monitoring developments and restricting access of people to the Commission.

There had been mass mobilization in the social media with the hashtag, #OccupyINEC.

Earlier in the day, a group of youths, operating under the banner of the “Concerned Nigeria Youth Forum,” were at the commission in solidarity with the decision to delist Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola from INEC’s list of political party leaders on its portal.

Carrying a large banner that read; “For a Credible Process in the Best Interest of Nigeria,” the protesters marched through traffic in the area, chanting slogans and calling on INEC to uphold its commitment to fair elections.

INEC’s actions signal plot to crush opposition — Turaki-PDP

Meanwhile, the PDP  has sounded a stern warning over what it describes as troubling moves by the INEC, saying they point to a broader plan to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to the party, recent decisions and actions by INEC are fuelling fears that the electoral space may already be tilting in favour of the ruling party, pushing the country’s political climate closer to breaking point.

The warning came in a statement by the PDP’s factional National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, who urged key national institutions to remain neutral and resist any pressure that could undermine democracy.

“Recent political developments, widely seen as orchestrated moves against opposition parties, have pushed the country’s political temperature to near-fever levels. Like the human body, society either adapts under such strain or begins to break down,” the party said.

The PDP went further, accusing the ruling APC of being determined to retain power in 2027, whatever it takes.

“It is now common knowledge that the ruling All Progressives Congress intends to win the next presidential elections at all costs, by hook or crook,” the statement said.

It’s an ambush Nigerians should resist—Afenifere leader 

The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere,  urged Nigerians not to accept what it described as a new tactics by the APC to keep political parties out of circulation.

Reacting to INEC’s decision not to recognise the names of the ADC executives, Afenifere Leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, described INEC’s move as an ambush just as he urged Nigerians to resist it.

Oba Olaitan, in a chat with Vanguard, said: “This is an ambush. How many days do we have for.members to be registered into political parties? By the end of this month if you have not registered yourself into a political party, you cannot contest for elections. Again, you cannot have your name on two political parties at the same time.

“So far, all members of the ADC have registered with the ADC and now, you’re removing them from office at this time. Unfortunately, the court does not sit in one day and pass judgement. It means they have to wait to get the judgement of the court and if the court says their names are removed, then you have to appeal and by the time you get to that, registration of party members would have closed.

“So, they cannot go to another party to register because if they do, they would have flouted the Electoral Act. It is a very clear one by INEC but it is unfortunate.

“It is a new way and tactics of putting them out of circulation. That is the best way APC thinks it can get them out of circulation but Nigerians should not accept it.”

MBF accuses APC of destabilising opposition  

The National President of the Middle Belt Forum, MBF, Dr. Bitrus Pogu, accused the ruling APC of deliberately undermining opposition parties to pave the way for its victory in the 2027 elections. 

Dr. Pogu described the INEC’s action as “unfortunate” and a reflection of deeper challenges facing opposition politics in Nigeria. 

“It is an unfortunate development which we are facing. People go and inherit political platforms which they did not create, and that opens a window for the ruling party to destabilize the party using the original or whoever members of the platform,” Dr. Pogu said. 

He criticised the use of administrative measures to bar political aspirants, urging for fair play in the electoral process. “But it is an unfortunate development because we need clean, clear competition rather than to use cheap tricks like this to placate and deny political position seekers from contesting or manifesting or displaying their desire to contest for whichever office we have in the country,” he added. 

While acknowledging INEC’s role, Dr. Pogu maintained that the commission should remain neutral saying “yes, INEC might have looked at the loophole or problem, and might have acted according to their rules, but they should also remember that whatever problem the ruling party is creating should not warrant the draconian reaction by INEC. 

INEC, govt institutions should remain neutral — Ohanaeze

On its part, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide advised the INEC and other government institutions to maintain political neutrality in the interest of national peace.

National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Ezechi Chukwu, who spoke with Vanguard, said that although the group had yet to be fully briefed on the legality of INEC’s action, it is important for the electoral body to avoid steps that could generate public mistrust.

He stressed that Nigeria’s peace and unity should not be undermined, especially as the country approaches another election cycle.

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