The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced it will no longer accept correspondences from either faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by David Mark or Rafiu Bala, pending the resolution of their leadership crisis in court.

In a statement signed by Mohammed Kudu, the commission said it would also suspend all engagements with both groups, including monitoring their meetings, congresses, and conventions.

INEC further disclosed that it would remove David Mark’s name from its official portal after reviewing the Court of Appeal judgment delivered on March 12, 2026.

The crisis stems from a legal challenge by Rafiu Bala, a former vice chairman of the party, who opposed the emergence of the David Mark-led caretaker committee. The dispute dates back to July 2025, when the National Working Committee led by Ralph Nwosu resigned, paving the way for a new leadership structure that installed Mark as interim national chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary.

However, Nafiu Bala Gombe, the party’s Vice-National Chairman, argued that he should have automatically assumed leadership following Nwosu’s resignation. He subsequently filed a suit at the Federal High Court on September 2, 2025, seeking to restrain Mark’s group from parading itself as the party’s leadership.

Although the matter remains before the Federal High Court, an appeal filed by Mark’s camp was dismissed by the Court of Appeal in Abuja on March 12, 2026.

Following the development, INEC said it would maintain the status quo ante bellum—reflecting the party’s leadership structure before September 2, 2025—until a final judgment is delivered.

The ADC, which was adopted by an opposition coalition in 2025 as a platform to challenge the ruling APC ahead of the 2027 general elections, now faces uncertainty as the leadership dispute continues to shape its political future.