ADC INEC leadership dispute heads to court as David Mark-led party challenges removal of its officials from INEC portal and seeks restoration
The African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by Senator David Mark, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja challenging the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the removal of its top officials from the party’s official records.
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INEC leadership dispute arose after INEC allegedly deleted the names of David Mark as National Chairman and former Minister Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary from its official portal on April 1.
In a motion filed through his counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Sulaiman Usman, the party is asking the court to compel INEC to restore the names of its National Working Committee members as they existed before the disputed alteration.
ADC leadership dispute with INEC also seeks a mandatory injunction setting aside INEC’s decision, which the party describes as unlawful and capable of causing internal instability.
According to court filings, the party is further requesting that INEC be restrained from recognising any rival leadership structure until the substantive matter is resolved by the court.
The legal challenge follows an earlier Court of Appeal judgment delivered on March 12 in a related case involving former deputy national chairman Nafiu Gombe, which directed all parties to maintain the status quo pending determination of the dispute.
Counsel to the ADC argued that INEC misinterpreted the appellate ruling by removing the names from its portal, insisting that David Mark was still the recognised National Chairman as of the commencement of proceedings.
ADC leadership battle with INEC according to the applicant, risks creating parallel leadership structures and deepening internal divisions within the party if not urgently resolved.
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The court is expected to hear the motion on an expedited basis as the matter continues to draw attention within Nigeria’s political landscape.
