David Mark, former Senate President and national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of compromising Nigeria's democracy by interfering in the party's internal leadership dispute. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Mark said INEC's April 1 decision to withdraw recognition of both his faction and that of Nafiu Bala undermines the party's autonomy and violates a Court of Appeal ruling. He claimed the commission acted unlawfully by inventing a "status quo ante bellum" that never existed, leaving the ADC without recognized leadership. Mark stated the party's current executives, including himself as chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as secretary, emerged from a July 29, 2025, NEC meeting conducted under INEC's supervision and were initially acknowledged by the commission.
He dismissed Nafiu Bala's claim to leadership, noting Bala had resigned months before initiating legal action. Mark accused INEC of partisanship, saying it failed to seek judicial clarification and instead sided with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He warned the move could disrupt ADC's participation in upcoming governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti states and its national convention. Mark alleged the APC-led government is engineering a one-party state to shield President Bola Tinubu from credible opposition in 2027. "There is only one conclusion Nigerians can draw: the electoral umpire has taken sides and can no longer be trusted," he said. He called for the resignation or removal of INEC's chairman and national commissioners, urging the international community to monitor Nigeria's electoral integrity. Mark insisted the ADC would proceed with its planned activities despite INEC's stance.
INEC's abrupt withdrawal of recognition of both ADC factions suggests a pattern of overreach, not neutrality. By acting contrary to its own prior endorsement and a court directive, the commission has handed David Mark a platform to frame the crisis as political sabotage. If INEC cannot manage party disputes without appearing to serve the ruling party's interests, its credibility in overseeing the 2027 elections is already in question. For Nigerian voters, this means the playing field is being shaped long before ballots are cast.
