ADC Crisis: Faction Tells INEC to Drop Mark, Aregbesola
By: Abudu Olalekan
Needs to get this straight first—let’s break down what’s really happening in the ADC right now. Honestly, it’s a whole mess.
Look, the African Democratic Congress is deep in it. Two factions are pulling no punches, dragging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) straight into their fight for who really runs the party. And guess what? Nafiu Bala’s camp? They’re pushing hard to take over.
Reportersroom found out Bala fired off a letter to INEC. His message? Cut ties with former Senate President David Mark and ex-Minister Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. Yeah, he wants them gone as Chairman and Secretary, fast.
Here’s the backstory. Mark had appealed a Federal High Court ruling from Justice Emeka Nwite. That suit? Bala filed it, claiming he should’ve been national chairman after Ralph Nwosu stepped down. Bala’s been arguing this for ages—he was the Deputy National Chairman, right? Said it was his turn.
But Justice Nwite? On September 4, 2025, he shut down Bala’s attempt to kick Mark and Aregbesola out immediately. Told ‘em to hold up. Ordered Mark and Aregbesola to explain why they shouldn’t be booted later. Basically, put ‘em on notice.
Mark? He wasn’t having it. Filed an appeal on September 18, 2025. Threw every legal argument at it—lack of jurisdiction, you name it.
Then boom. Last Tuesday, the Court of Appeal smacked that appeal down. Case number CA/ABJ/145/2026? Got dismissed because, plain and simple, it skipped a step. Didn’t get the court’s permission to appeal that kind of ruling. Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam’s court said: “Keep things exactly as they are.” Told both sides to not change a thing until the main case finishes.
Bala Moves Fast
Right after that win? Bala jumped on it. Reportersroom gathered he went straight to INEC. His lawyers—led by Robert Emukpoeruo, SAN—handed over a letter dated March 16. Got by Reportersroom Wednesday.
Emukpoeruo laid it out: The Appeal Court said “status quo ante bellum.” Translation? Nobody moves. He argued INEC has to stop recognizing Mark and Aregbesola now. Said the court order’s crystal clear—two parts. One: freeze everything. Two: don’t do anything that messes up the trial later.
He even urged party members to chill. Stay calm. Stick to the ADC’s mission. No drama.
But here’s the kicker. Reportersroom also found another letter. From Dr. Sulaimon Usman, SAN—big legal eagle at Gamzaki Law Chambers. He wrote INEC the same day. Told ‘em: Don’t listen to Bala.
Usman argued it’s crazy for INEC to switch leaders now. Said the party already has a recognized leadership—from that July 29, 2025 NEC meeting INEC watched. And that’s what stands until the court decides. Jumping the gun? Bad move.
Wild Claims Fly
Then things got messy. Some ADC bigwig—Abdullahi—dropped a bomb. Claimed the Presidency and APC are squeezing INEC hard. Pressure to deregister Mark’s team? Yep. Why? So Tinubu runs unopposed in 2027.
Abdullahi didn’t hold back. Said: “We know it. INEC’s chairman’s under serious heat. They’ve got most commissioners in their pocket. Plan? Scrub ADC off the map last minute. Lock all opposition leaders inside it. Then—poof—deregister us. Stops ‘em from joining another party. We don’t know if judges are in on it, but trust me, Tinubu’s scared. Scared of Atiku, Obi, Amaechi… anyone real.”
APC Fires Back: ‘Stop the Nonsense’
APC’s National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru? He wasn’t having any of it. Called ADC’s claims “wild allegations.” Straight up said it’s irresponsible.
Basiru laid it bare: “Look, Presidency and APC ain’t in this court fight. At all. David Mark went to Appeal Court, got told to keep things as is. Any sensible group respects that. Instead? ADC’s throwing red herrings at us. We got zero to do with their mess.”
He pressed harder. “If you try to grab a party without following the rules—is that our fault? If your case sucks, blame yourself, not us.”
And he warned INEC clear as day: “Even if ADC disagrees, they go to Supreme Court. Not ignore the Appeal Court order. Status quo stays. Period. INEC can’t get gaslit into breaking the law. This? Shows ADC’s just irresponsible. Doesn’t get how courts work. Throws facts out the window.”
Basiru ended it plain: “It ain’t our business. Our party’s strong. United. We mind our own lane. But ADC? They gotta obey the court. And INEC better too. You can’t claim Presidency’s pressuring you when there’s a standing order. Presidency’s busy with real work—not some party that hasn’t even taken off.”
It’s ugly out here. And honestly? Nobody’s backing down.
