ADC Leadership Crisis Deepens as INEC Memo Questions Legality of David Mark-Led Structure
Fresh revelations indicate that the leadership structure of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), currently led by former Senate President David Mark, may have breached critical provisions of Nigeria’s Electoral Act.
An internal document obtained by PulseNets from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has now cast significant doubt on the legality of the party’s existing leadership framework.
The memo, dated August 6, 2025, reviewed a series of correspondences between ADC and INEC, focusing on the meetings that culminated in the establishment of the party’s caretaker committee. It also contained records of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on July 29, 2025, alongside details of newly appointed party officials.
According to the document obtained by PulseNets, the party failed to meet a fundamental legal requirement by not issuing the mandatory 21-day notice to INEC before convening the meeting that produced the caretaker committee. The commission maintained that this omission contravenes the Electoral Act and renders the process legally defective.
The memo clarified the statutory position, stating, “The provision of section 82(1) of the Electoral Act 2025 is clear on which of the activities of political parties requires the mandatory 21 days’ notice.”
It further emphasized that any gathering convened for electing party officials or making key decisions must be formally communicated within that timeframe. Failure to comply, as outlined under Section 82(5), invalidates such actions outright.
INEC also noted a procedural gap in ADC’s communication. While the party notified the commission of the NEC meeting that ratified prior resolutions, it failed to disclose the earlier meeting where those resolutions were initially made. PulseNets learnt that this omission is central to the commission’s concerns.
“The ADC gave the Commission the Notice of the NEC meeting held on July 29, 2025 that ratified the resolutions of the National Working Committee (NWC) but neglected to give notice of the meeting where those resolutions were made,” the document stated.
Further inconsistencies were identified. The memo indicated that there was no clear documentation establishing when the caretaker committee officially assumed office. In addition, the party did not submit specimen signatures of its newly appointed leaders, including the chairman and secretary.
INEC maintained that while it does not dictate when parties should implement internal decisions, compliance with due process is non-negotiable before such decisions can gain official recognition.
The commission also questioned the legitimacy of the process that produced the caretaker committee. PulseNets reported that the committee was not constituted during the NEC meeting itself but was instead a prior decision later ratified by the NEC.
“This goes to show that the appointment of the caretaker committee was not the product of the NEC or decision taken at the NEC meeting but outside which the NEC has the power to ratify,” the memo stated.
It added that ratification is only valid if the original action was legally sound. However, no formal record was submitted to validate the initial appointment before ratification.
Despite these procedural flaws, the NEC proceeded to approve the caretaker committee, which includes David Mark as chairman, Rauf Aregbesola as secretary, and Bolaji Abdullahi as publicity secretary, with a tenure capped at 12 months.
This development comes amid an escalating leadership crisis within the party. INEC had earlier moved to withdraw recognition of the Mark-led leadership following a ruling by the Court of Appeal, deepening uncertainty around the party’s stability ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The ADC, however, has pushed back. Party sources who spoke to PulseNets insisted that due process was followed and accused INEC of misinterpreting the court’s directive. The party also confirmed it is preparing to challenge the commission’s position in court.
A party chieftain described INEC’s action as “mischievous,” arguing that the directive to maintain the status quo did not justify removing the party’s leadership from the commission’s official portal.
The crisis has since taken a legal dimension. A former deputy national chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe, is currently in court contesting the legitimacy of the Mark-led leadership, seeking recognition as the authentic chairman.
Also Read: Court to Rule on Suit Seeking Deregistration of ADC, Accord, ZLP, AA Over Constitutional Breach
Beyond internal disputes, the situation is triggering broader political calculations. PulseNets learnt that some opposition figures are already weighing alternative platforms ahead of the next election cycle, with the Action Peoples Party (APP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) reportedly under consideration.
Sources told PulseNets that the ongoing uncertainty within ADC could weaken its ability to field candidates if the leadership crisis persists. There are also growing concerns that prolonged legal battles may disrupt critical electoral timelines, including the submission of party registers.
