The leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress has escalated, with a rival faction urging the Independent National Electoral Commission to withdraw recognition of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as national chairman and secretary of the party.
The push is being led by Nafiu Bala, who insists he should assume leadership following the exit of former chairman Ralph Nwosu.
The move comes after the Court of Appeal dismissed an application filed by Mark, ruling it was procedurally incompetent and directing all parties to maintain the status quo pending the outcome of the substantive case before the Federal High Court.
Following the judgment, Bala, through his lawyer, wrote to INEC requesting that the commission enforce the court’s directive by discontinuing recognition of the current leadership.
In the letter, the court’s position was cited: “That the parties are hereby directed to maintain the status quo ante bellum and shall refrain from taking any step or doing any act capable of foisting a fait accompli on the court or otherwise rendering nugatory the proceedings before the trial court.”
However, a counter-position has emerged, as legal practitioner Dr Sulaimon Usman urged INEC to ignore Bala’s request, stressing that the commission should not alter the party’s leadership structure until the court delivers a final ruling.
Tensions further rose after allegations surfaced that elements within the Presidency and the All Progressives Congress were attempting to influence INEC to weaken the ADC ahead of the 2027 elections.
Reacting, APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru dismissed the claims, blaming the ADC’s internal crisis for its troubles and urging the party to respect the court order.
He said, “The Presidency and the APC are not parties to the suit in court. It was David Mark who went to the Court of Appeal, and the court said that the status quo ante bellum should be respected.”
Basiru maintained that INEC must comply strictly with the court’s directive, adding that any party dissatisfied with the ruling should seek redress at the Supreme Court rather than making allegations.
He further stated: “Even if they disagree with the decision of the Court of Appeal, they should go to the Supreme Court. But until it is set aside, the order of the Court of Appeal that the status quo ante bellum should be maintained subsists.”
