ADC Forum Threatens Nationwide Protest Against INEC
The NEC Chairmen Forum wants INEC to recognise Nafiu Bala Gombe’s faction and reopen its candidate portal following the Federal High Court judgment
The National Executive Committee (NEC) Chairmen Forum of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has threatened a nationwide protest against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) unless the electoral body complies with a court judgment nullifying the party’s David Mark-led interim leadership.
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The forum also called on INEC to replace the names of Mark and members of his dissolved Interim National Working Committee (NWC) on its official portal with those of Nafiu Bala Gombe and other officials it considers constitutionally recognised.
It further demanded that the commission reopen its candidate portal to enable the party to conduct fresh primaries, where necessary, and upload candidates for the 2027 general elections.
The forum’s Secretary, Kennedy Odion, made the demands while addressing journalists in Abuja on Friday, November 6, following a judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday.
In the ruling, Justice Lifu nullified the Mark-led leadership of the ADC and invalidated decisions taken under its authority, including the party’s presidential primary that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as its candidate for the 2027 election.
The judgment followed a suit filed by Bala Gombe, a former ADC Deputy National Chairman for the North-East, who challenged the process through which Mark and other members of the interim leadership assumed control of the party.
Odion described the ruling as a vindication of the forum’s position that the Mark-led leadership was not constituted in accordance with the party’s constitution.
“We, the only legally recognised NEC members, accept in its entirety the judgment declaring our own Alhaji Nafiu Bala Gombe the authentic national chairman of the ADC.
“Failure to comply with this latest judgment will leave us no option but to proceed with our planned nationwide protest against the electoral umpire. Nigeria is for all of us. No individual, however highly placed, is above the law,” he said.
The forum maintained that the judgment also invalidated the nominations of candidates produced through the Mark-led leadership, including Atiku and his running mate, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi.
Odion argued that INEC should give effect to the ruling by updating its records and allowing the party to take the necessary steps to meet electoral requirements ahead of the 2027 polls.
He also commended the judiciary for what he described as its courage in resolving the leadership dispute, while accusing the dissolved interim leadership of promoting narratives against the courts.
The ADC has been embroiled in a prolonged leadership crisis involving the Mark-led interim NWC and the faction led by Bala Gombe, with several court cases arising from disagreements over the party’s leadership structure and the conduct of its congresses and national convention.
The dispute has produced different judicial decisions on aspects of the party’s leadership and congress arrangements.
In a separate case, Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court, Abuja, dismissed a suit challenging the emergence of Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as national officers in July 2026. The Mark-led faction has relied on that judgment in disputing the latest ruling.
The ADC’s presidential campaign council has described Justice Lifu’s decision as an academic exercise, arguing that it conflicts with the earlier judgment. The party said it was preparing to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal and seek appropriate interim relief, including a stay of execution where applicable.
Atiku has also rejected the judgment and said he would appeal, maintaining that his campaign would continue.
The latest development comes against the background of earlier litigation over the tenure of elected state executives and the authority to organise party congresses.
In July 2026, the Court of Appeal upheld restrictions relating to the recognition of certain state congresses organised through committees appointed by the Mark-led leadership.
The different proceedings have left important questions about the party’s leadership, candidate nominations and INEC’s obligations to be resolved through the courts.
Meanwhile, Bala Gombe has welcomed Thursday’s judgment, describing it as a confirmation of his position in the leadership dispute.
Odion said the forum had pursued legal remedies rather than confrontation because it wanted to prevent violence among aggrieved party members and candidates.
“The maturity shown by the NEC Chairmen Forum as law-abiding members of society prevented a melee and saved the lives of agitated and disenchanted party members and candidates,” he said.
He also congratulated Gombe and other members of the faction, expressing confidence that the judgment would help restore stability within the party.
The dispute now places INEC in a difficult position as the 2027 election timetable advances, with the commission expected to consider the precise terms of the court orders alongside any appeals or applications for a stay.
Also read: ADC Accuses INEC of Sabotaging 2027 Elections
The electoral body’s response, and the outcome of the Mark-led faction’s planned appeal, are likely to shape the ADC’s preparations for the forthcoming general elections.
