INEC has moved to freeze the African Democratic Congress's (ADC) leadership crisis on its official portal. The commission announced on Wednesday it would remove the names of the National Working Committee led by David Mark from its portal, following a March 12, 2026 Court of Appeal order. The order directed all parties to maintain the status quo pending a final ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja. INEC stated it would refrain from actions that could influence the court's proceedings, including freezing dealings with both factions. The commission also rejected a request from the Bala-led faction seeking recognition as acting national chairman, citing the court's directive.
The ADC's leadership dispute has dragged on since September 9, 2025, when INEC uploaded the current NWC members' names just seven days after a lawsuit challenging the leadership was filed. The electoral body now says it must reverse that action until the matter is resolved. The court's order prevents any faction from altering the status quo, effectively halting further recognition or actions that could sway the final judgment.
David Mark's ADC faction just got a legal timeout, but the party's crisis feels like a Nollywood script—familiar yet frustrating. With two warring camps and INEC caught in the middle, this saga mirrors the messy power plays in Afrobeats label disputes, where factions often drag fans into the feud. The court's freeze might cool tempers for now, but Nigeria's political drama rarely stays off-screen for long.
