INEC REMOVES ADC NWC NAMES AMID INTERNAL CRISIS, RAISING ELECTORAL CONCERNS

by HEDNEWS on April 2, 2026

INEC REMOVES ADC NWC NAMES AMID INTERNAL CRISIS, RAISING ELECTORAL CONCERNS Electoral body’s action threatens opposition coalition momentum ahead of 2027 polls The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has removed the names of key members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) from its official portal, deepening the party’s internal crisis and raising concerns about its readiness for upcoming elections. The move comes amid a prolonged leadership dispute within the party, which has increasingly threatened its role as a central platform for opposition coalition efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections.

INEC said its decision was based on a Court of Appeal ruling directing all parties to maintain the “status quo” pending the resolution of ongoing litigation over the party’s leadership.

As part of the directive

Names of NWC members led by former Senate President David Mark were removed from INEC’s portal
The commission declined to recognise any faction within the party
Engagement with all groups was suspended until the courts reach a final decision

INEC maintained that the action was necessary to avoid taking sides in a dispute still before the courts. The ADC has been embroiled in a leadership tussle involving competing factions, including one aligned with David Mark and another led by Nafiu Bala Gombe.

The conflict has generated:

Conflicting legal claims
Multiple court cases
Pressure on INEC to recognise one faction over another

INEC said it received contradictory legal communications from both camps, prompting its decision to step back entirely from recognising any leadership structure The development is seen as a major setback for the ADC, which has recently gained prominence as a coalition platform for opposition figures seeking to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Analysts warn that the crisis could:

Undermine the party’s growing political momentum
Disrupt coalition-building efforts
Weaken its position as a viable opposition force

The timing is particularly significant, coming less than a year into intensified political realignments ahead of the next election cycle.

Political stakeholders have also raised concerns that the ongoing crisis could affect the party’s ability to field candidates.

Former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode warned that unless the party resolves its internal disputes, it may struggle to present a recognised presidential candidate in future electio The ADC has rejected INEC’s interpretation of the court ruling, accusing the commission of acting under external influence and misapplying the “status quo” directive. Party officials insist that the correct position should maintain the leadership structure as it existed before the legal dispute began, warning that any deviation could undermine democratic processes With legal battles still ongoing and INEC maintaining neutrality, the future of the ADC’s leadership and its role in Nigeria’s opposition politics emains uncertain.

Observers say the resolution of the crisis will be critical in determining whether the party can effectively participate in the 2027 general elections.