The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has yet to recognize the new leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by Senator David Mark, due to pending procedural requirements.
Sources revealed that the ADC has not submitted the report of its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, which ratified the emergence of Mark as National Chairman and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary. INEC also awaits specimen signatures of the new leaders.
Complicating matters, former ADC National Chairman Ralph Nwosu continues to appear in official correspondences as the party’s head, even after the leadership change was communicated to the commission.
The ADC delegation, including National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, met with INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu on Tuesday to clarify the situation. Sources described the discussions as “cordial,” with INEC emphasizing the need for compliance with “minor but vital procedural guidelines” before formal recognition could be granted.
According to the sources, the delay is largely administrative. “INEC has no problem with ADC at all. Once the party complies fully with the requirements, INEC will issue an official statement,” one insider said.
Mark, a former Senate President, and Aregbesola, a former governor of Osun State, were named interim national chairman and secretary of ADC on July 1. Their appointment followed the decision of prominent opposition politicians, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi, former Sports Minister Bolaji Abdullahi, and presidential candidate Peter Obi, to use the party as a platform against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections. Atiku, however, has not formally registered as a member of ADC.
Despite the high-profile takeover, some ADC members, including House of Representatives member Leke Abejide and the party’s 2023 presidential candidate Dumebi Kachikwu, have rejected the move. Kachikwu described it as “hostile and illegal,” criticizing the new entrants for claiming to champion the rights of ordinary Nigerians despite decades in public office.
He said, “They claim to be on a rescue mission, yet these men have presided over the nation for the past four decades. Nigeria remains divided, poor, and lacking in basic necessities, while these same individuals now portray themselves as the solution.”
INEC’s Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, confirmed that the commission is guiding the ADC leadership on meeting the necessary requirements and described the interaction as constructive.
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