Real reason we derecognised Mark, Aregbesola, others as ADC leaders

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained that its decision to withdraw recognition from the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was based strictly on compliance with a court of appeal ruling and adherence to the rule of law.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Adedayo Oketola, chief press secretary (CPS) to INEC chairman, Joash Amupitan, said the move was necessary to avoid a repeat of situations witnessed in Zamfara and Plateau states, where elected officials lost their positions after failing to comply with court orders.

INEC’s clarification follows criticism from some political stakeholders who accused the commission of bias and demanded the removal of its chairman over the handling of the ADC leadership crisis.

The commission had announced on Wednesday that it would no longer recognise either the faction led by David Mark or that headed by Nafiu Bala Gombe. This followed a court of appeal directive ordering all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum — the condition that existed before the case was instituted at the federal high court.

Earlier on Thursday, Bolaji Abdullahi, national publicity secretary of the Mark-led faction, insisted that the party would proceed with its congresses and convention despite INEC’s stance.

Responding, Oketola said the appellate court’s preservatory orders, along with ongoing proceedings at the federal high court, prevent the commission from recognising or engaging with any faction of the party.

“In addition, the Commission did not want to disobey the preservative order of the court not to do anything or take any step that would render the processes already filed at the Federal High Court nugatory,” the statement reads.

“Proceeding to monitor the congress and convention of the David Mark-led ADC would amount to a disobedience of that order since the relief claimed in the Originating Summons and other court processes filed include an order restraining INEC from monitoring any meeting, congress and convention of the party.

“Additionally, it was only on the 9th of September 2025 that INEC accepted and approved David Mark’s Exco, which was seven days after the matter was filed at the Federal High Court.

“The order to maintain status quo ante bellum means the position of the parties before the beginning of hostilities. It is either that INEC obey the order of the Court of Appeal fully or refuse to obey it.

“Section 287(2) of the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999 mandates every person and authority in Nigeria not only to obey the Judgment of the Court of Appeal but also to enforce such Judgment.”

Addressing calls for the removal of the INEC chairman, Oketola described such demands as politically driven and inconsistent with constitutional provisions.

“The Chairman does not hold office at the pleasure of any political party or interest group. Any call for removal outside the established constitutional process is a direct assault on the independence of the nation’s electoral umpire,” he said.

He further stated that INEC’s involvement in the ADC dispute is limited to its legal and regulatory responsibilities, stressing that the commission “will not be drawn into the internal strife within political parties.”