The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that it recognises the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and has accepted candidates submitted by the faction for the 2027 general elections.
INEC National Commissioner, Mohammed Haruna, disclosed that the electoral body granted the Mark-led leadership access to its candidate nomination portal following a Supreme Court ruling affirming 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.
“INEC granted the access code to the David Mark-led faction based on the Supreme Court judgment affirming its leadership of the party,” Haruna said.
He explained that the faction had successfully uploaded candidates for two presidential positions, 109 senatorial seats and 360 House of Representatives constituencies.
Haruna added that there was no legal basis for the rival faction to submit candidates, noting that the court had not directed the commission to accept nominations from any other group within the party.
The clarification came amid renewed controversy over claims by factional leader, Nafiu Bala, that he had obtained access to INEC’s nomination portal and uploaded candidates on behalf of the ADC.
Reacting to the commission’s position, the ADC welcomed the clarification and called for an investigation into what it described as an attempt to mislead the public.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party accused Bala of making false claims regarding access to INEC’s restricted nomination platform.
The party argued that the matter had gone beyond internal political disagreements and now involved allegations serious enough to warrant investigation by law enforcement agencies.
According to the ADC, falsely claiming access to a restricted electoral platform undermines public confidence in the electoral process and should not be treated lightly.
The party urged INEC and relevant security agencies to investigate and prosecute anyone involved in the alleged fabrication of documents or dissemination of false information regarding candidate nominations.
Meanwhile, INEC said it would study the details of Monday’s Court of Appeal judgment relating to the ADC leadership dispute before taking any further action.
Haruna stated that the commission was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment and would review its contents before making an official determination.
The appellate court had affirmed an earlier Federal High Court judgment that restrained INEC from recognising state congresses conducted by committees appointed by the David Mark-led caretaker leadership.
The ruling arose from a suit filed by seven ADC state chairmen who challenged the dissolution of their executive committees and the appointment of caretaker committees to organise state congresses.
In its judgment, the court held that the dissolution of the state executives violated the party’s constitution, as their tenure had not expired.
The court further ruled that the authority to conduct congresses remained with the duly elected state executives.
However, the ADC maintained that the appellate court decision relates solely to the conduct of state congresses and does not affect the party’s primaries or the nomination of candidates for elective offices.
The opposition party insisted that the candidates submitted by the Mark-led leadership remain valid and that the ruling has no impact on preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The development is expected to further shape the ongoing leadership contest within the ADC as opposition parties continue preparations for the next electoral cycle.
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