The African Democratic Congress filed a suit against the Independent National Electoral Commission on April 7. Senator David Mark led the faction that brought the case before Justice Emeka Nwite at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
INEC had removed the names of the party’s National Working Committee from its official portal and website on April 1. The commission acted after a Court of Appeal order on March 12 directed parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum in a separate suit filed by Hon Nafiu Bala Gombe.
Senator David Mark took over as national chairman in September 2025 after Chief Ralph Nwosu stepped down. Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola served as national secretary.
INEC initially recognised the leadership and uploaded the names to its portal. However the commission later removed them following conflicting claims from rival factions.
Sulaiman Usman, senior advocate of Nigeria and counsel to the Mark-led faction, told the court that INEC acted under a misapprehension of the appeal court order.
“Status quo ante bellum referred to the last lawful uncontested state of affairs prior to the institution of the suit,” Usman stated. “As of September 2 2025 when this action was instituted Senator David Mark was the recognised national chairman.”
Usman added that the law allows a mandatory injunction at the interlocutory stage to restore a party to its rightful position. He therefore urged the court to grant accelerated hearing so the matter does not become nugatory.
The suit prays for an order setting aside INEC’s decision to remove the leaders’ names and its refusal to monitor the party’s congresses or convention. It also seeks a mandatory injunction directing the commission to restore Senator David Mark as national chairman Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary and all other National Working Committee members to the records.
In addition the party wants the court to restrain INEC from tampering with the leadership or recognising any competing claims pending final determination of the case.
