Electoral Commission Removes David Mark and Aregbesola From Website Amid Intensifying ADC Leadership Crisis

The national chairman and secretary of the ADC are removed from the INEC website as opposition leaders call for the resignation of the commission chairman.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 3, 2026, 9:24 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from LEADERSHIP

The Sudden Removal of Opposition Leadership

The Independent National Electoral Commission, known as INEC, has officially removed Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola from its official database, citing an ongoing legal dispute regarding the leadership of the African Democratic Congress. This administrative action effectively leaves one of the country's primary opposition parties without a recognized executive head on the commission's public portal. According to Kunle Olasanmi, the commission also declined to recognize Nafiu Bala, a rival claimant who has initiated legal proceedings to secure the chairmanship. This move has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, as it marks a significant intervention by the electoral umpire into the internal friction of a major political entity.

Legal Practitioners Debate Regulatory Compliance

Senior legal experts are currently divided on whether the electoral body overstepped its constitutional boundaries or simply adhered to judicial necessity. Abdul Balogun, SAN, argued that the commission acted in strict accordance with the law, suggesting that political parties must take responsibility for internal mismanagement that leads to such litigation. Conversely, Barrister Paul Arua noted that as long as a court order exists to maintain the status quo, the commission is legally obligated to take neutral steps, even if those steps involve de-recognition. However, other voices within the legal community, including Barrister Ben V. Aham, suggested that the speed of the commission's action against opposition figures hints at a potential bias toward the ruling administration.

Opposition Demands Leadership Change at the Commission

In a direct challenge to the electoral umpire, Senator David Mark held a high profile press conference in Abuja where he called for the immediate resignation of the commission chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan. Mark, supported by prominent figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, claimed that the party has lost all confidence in the current leadership's ability to oversee a fair transition in the 2027 general elections. According to Mark, the commission has misinterpreted a Court of Appeal directive and essentially invented a status quo that did not previously exist. He characterized the delisting as a calculated attempt to weaken the opposition and pave the way for a one...