The (INEC) has announced that it will no longer accept communications from either the Mark-led faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) faction or that of Rafiu Bala, following a review of the Court of Appeal judgment on March 12 this year.
In a statement signed by Mohammed Kudu, chairman of information and voter education, the commission said it would also suspend engagement with both factions and refrain from monitoring any of their meetings, congresses, or conventions until the matter before the Federal High Court is resolved.
INEC further disclosed that it would remove David Mark’s name from its official portal.
The dispute stems from a leadership tussle within the ADC after Rafiu Bala, a former vice-chairman of the party, challenged the emergence of the David Mark-led caretaker committee in court.
The conflict dates back to 2025 when an opposition coalition adopted the ADC as its platform to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections. Subsequently, former national chairman Ralph Nwosu handed over party leadership to David Mark and as interim national chairman and secretary.
However, Bala insisted that he should have automatically assumed leadership following Nwosu’s resignation and filed a suit to stop Mark’s group from presenting themselves as the party’s leadership.
Although the case progressed through the courts, the Court of Appeal in Abuja dismissed Mark’s appeal on March 12, 2026.
Following the ruling, INEC said its decision was guided by the need to maintain the status quo ante bellum, based on the situation that existed before September 2, 2025, when the suit was initially filed.