INEC Affirms Mark-Led ADC Leadership, Accepts 471 Candidate Nominations
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its recognition of the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), confirming that only candidates submitted by the faction will participate under the party's platform in the build-up to the 2027 general elections. INEC National Commissioner, Mohammed Haruna, disclosed that the commission granted the Mark-led leadership access to its secured nomination portal after a Supreme Court ruling affirmed its authority within the party. According to him, the recognised leadership has already submitted candidates for 471 elective positions, including presidential, senatorial and House of Representatives seats.
Haruna explained that the rival faction was not granted access because there was no legal basis for it to submit nominations, stressing that INEC's decision was guided by the Supreme Court judgment recognising the Mark-led National Executive Committee. The clarification came amid claims by a rival faction led by Nafiu Bala Gombe that it had successfully uploaded candidates through INEC's portal. The electoral commission dismissed the claim, insisting that only the recognised party leadership received the official access code. Reacting to INEC's position, the ADC accused Bala of attempting to mislead the public and called on security agencies to investigate the alleged circulation of false information. The party described the claim as a serious matter, arguing that falsely presenting access to INEC's restricted nomination platform undermines public confidence in the electoral process.
The party urged the commission and relevant law enforcement agencies to investigate everyone connected with the alleged misinformation and ensure that anyone found culpable is prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Meanwhile, the leadership dispute within the ADC remains unresolved following a recent Court of Appeal judgment that upheld an earlier Federal High Court decision restraining INEC from recognising state congresses conducted by committees appointed by the Mark-led caretaker leadership. However, INEC maintained that the appellate court ruling concerns only the conduct of state congresses and does not affect the recognition of the party's national leadership or the validity of candidates already nominated for elective offices. The commission also noted that it will carefully study the Certified True Copy of the Court of Appeal judgment before making any further decisions on issues arising from the ruling. Despite the ongoing legal battle, the ADC insists its primaries and the emergence of its candidates remain valid ahead of the 2027 elections.
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