The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for the immediate resignation or removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other national commissioners, saying the party no longer has confidence in the electoral body.
The ADC also vowed to go ahead with its scheduled congresses and national convention, despite INEC’s decision to withdraw recognition of the party’s leadership pending the outcome of ongoing court proceedings.
The National Chairman of the party, David Mark, spoke on Thursday at a press briefing in Abuja attended by party leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the party Secretary, former governors Rauf Aregbesola, and former governor Rotimi Amaechi, among other senior party figures, where he accused the electoral body of taking sides in an ongoing leadership dispute
Mark criticised INEC for withdrawing recognition of the party’s leadership, describing the move as unlawful and a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
“There is only one conclusion that Nigerians can draw from the April 1st action taken by INEC, the electoral umpire has taken sides. It can no longer be trusted.
“We demand the immediate resignation or sack of the INEC Chairman, Professor Amupitan, and all the National Commissioners. We no longer have confidence in them. We are convinced that they are incapable of conducting any credible election.
“Let us also make it clear, we are proceeding with our party programmes, because there is nothing under the law that makes INEC’s attendance, a mandatory requirement. We have duly served INEC notice, and we will proceed accordingly,” Mark said.
Mark said the party’s stance was prompted by INEC’s decision to withdraw recognition of its leadership, cautioning that the move extended beyond an internal party matter.
“It is not the ADC that is under attack. This is a direct assault on Nigeria’s democracy and the right of Nigerians to choose, participate, and exercise their rights as free citizens,” he added.
Alleging that democracy is under strain, Mark said restrictions on fundamental freedoms were eroding Nigeria’s democratic experience since 1999.
“Democracy is only sustained by the quality of freedom that it offers and guarantees without them, democracy dies,” he said.
He further alleged that recent developments pointed to a deliberate attempt to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The agenda is very clear to create a situation where, in 2027, President Bola Tinubu emerges as the only option left for the people,” he stated.
While providing the background to the dispute, the ADC chairman traced the party’s current leadership to a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on July 29, 2025, monitored by INEC, where a caretaker committee was constituted.
He said the resolutions were duly communicated to the commission, which subsequently uploaded the names of the party’s new National Working Committee members.
Mark maintained that there was no ambiguity regarding the leadership of the party, stressing, “For the avoidance of doubt, the leadership of ADC inaugurated at the 29th July 2025, NEC meeting remains the lawful leaders of the party”.
He also dismissed claims by Nafiu Bala, a former deputy national chairman, insisting that the latter had resigned before approaching the court.
“There are no competing claims on the leadership of the ADC. Nafiu Bala has no locus whatsoever,” Mark said.
On INEC’s action, Mark criticised the electoral umpire’s interpretation of the Court of Appeal order directing parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum, saying, “INEC has invented a status quo that never existed.
He added that the commission should have sought judicial clarification instead of acting unilaterally, “While posturing to be neutral, its actions confirm that it has become irredeemably partisan,” he added.
“It is important to state the net implications of this decision taken by INEC, in case they had not thought of it, or they just do not care.
“First, by attempting to subvert the leadership of the ADC, INEC has already undermined our participation in the Osun and Ekiti elections taking place later this year.
“Secondly, we have our congresses starting on the 9th of April, 2026, ending with our convention on the 14th of April, 2026. We have given due notice to INEC, and they have acknowledged receipt of that notice. This is what the law requires of us.
“Let us sound a note of warning, this INEC under Professor Joash Amupitan will be held directly responsible for whatever actions or reactions that follow this criminal path that it has chosen to take”, he said.
While urging party members to remain calm as there is no cause for alarm whatsoever, Mark advised Nigerians and the international community to remain vigilant.
“This is a defining moment, stand firm, speak out, participate and resist any attempt to impose a one-party state on Nigeria,” he said.