Fresh Details Emerge Over INEC’s Refusal to Acknowledge ADC’s New Leadership

Fresh details have emerged over the refusal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the newly announced leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition, led by former Senate President David Mark.

The coalition, which was formally unveiled in July at an event in Abuja, had adopted David Mark as interim national chairman and former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, as national secretary.

The gathering attracted political heavyweights including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal; and ex-governors Nasir El-Rufai and Rotimi Amaechi, among others.

Despite the high-profile adoption, INEC has not updated its website to reflect the new National Working Committee (NWC) of the ADC. This omission has triggered concerns within the party and among supporters ahead of the 2027 elections.

The coalition’s NWC includes Bolaji Abdullahi (National Publicity Secretary), Babachir Lawal (Deputy National Chairman, North East), Usani Uguru Usani (Assistant National Chairman), Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor (National Legal Adviser), Bar. Chinedu Idigbo (National Organising Secretary), Sen. Musa Elayo (National Vice Chairman for Diaspora) and Comrade Nkem Ukandu (National Welfare Secretary), among others.

Explaining the delay, ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said INEC was only following procedure.

He said that the matter was “purely administrative” and would be resolved within the week.

“What is happening is just administrative, there is actually nothing to it. We just need to send some signatures and everything will be in order. The delay is just procedural and it is being resolved,” Abdullahi told Daily Trust.

A chieftain of the party confirmed that ADC leaders have already engaged with INEC to address the situation. According to him, the commission outlined the steps required before recognition can be granted.

“Sincerely, many people have been calling on why INEC is yet to recognise the David Mark-led leadership on their website. Many Nigerians are seriously concerned. Ordinarily, there is nothing to it, because the party has done its bit and all that was done was in the full glare of INEC officials.

“But you can understand the situation in the country, people are agitated because they want the right things done. So, the officials of the party have engaged with INEC and I think both parties have resolved on what needs to be done,” he said.

Former ADC national chairman, Dr. Ralph Nwosu, also downplayed the controversy, arguing that the leadership of a political party is determined by its members, not the electoral commission.

He suggested that the delay may be due to INEC’s internal procedures for updating its website.

“Unlike the media, which update their platforms daily, INEC may have specific timeframes for updating their website. The ADC has already submitted all necessary documents, and the party is moving on,” Nwosu said.

Nwosu explained that the Mark-led executive is now focused on consolidating its internal structures. “After the initial excitement of forming the coalition, we have been working quietly. Nigerians will soon begin to see our strategies unfold as we prepare for 2027,” he noted.

However, not all voices within the ADC are in support of the Mark-led leadership.

Former ADC presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, described Mark as a “factional national chairman” imposed on the party by external interests. He criticised the coalition, calling it “a disservice to ordinary Nigerians and party members.”

Similarly, former ADC governorship candidate in Gombe State, Nafiu Bala, rejected the takeover of the party, calling it an “assault on democracy.”

Bala declared himself interim national chairman, accusing Nwosu and other leaders of ceding the party’s structure to outsiders.