The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revised its official records to reflect the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under David Mark, marking a significant shift in the ongoing leadership dispute within the party.
The update, which appeared on the commission’s website around 9:58 p.m. on Thursday, includes a full listing of key members of the party’s National Working Committee. Among those recognised are Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, Mani Ibrahim Ahmad as National Treasurer, Akibu Dalhatu as National Financial Secretary, and Oserheimen Aigberaodion Osunbor as National Legal Adviser.
This development comes shortly after a decisive ruling by the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which overturned a previous judgment of the Court of Appeal. The appellate court had earlier directed all parties involved in the ADC leadership tussle to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending further proceedings.
In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court set aside that directive and instructed the parties to return to the Federal High Court for the hearing of the substantive matter.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba held that the lower court acted appropriately in asking the defendants to justify why an ex parte application should not be granted.
The legal dispute originated from a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, an aggrieved party member, who challenged the legitimacy of Mark’s emergence as national chairman and sought a court order restraining his faction from acting as the party’s leadership.
Following the earlier ruling by the Court of Appeal, INEC had removed the Mark-led executive from its online records, stating that it would not recognise any faction pending the resolution of the case.
However, the latest update on the commission’s portal indicates a shift in position, as the Mark-led leadership is now listed once again, even as the matter remains before the court.
The development is likely to influence the dynamics of the ongoing dispute, as legal proceedings continue at the Federal High Court.
