INEC recognises David Mark-led ADC, accepts candidates for 471 elective positions
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that it recognises only the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the submission of candidates ahead of the 2027 general election.
INEC National Commissioner Mohammed Haruna said the commission granted the Mark-led faction access to its nomination portal after a Supreme Court judgment affirmed its leadership. According to him, the faction has already submitted candidates for 471 elective positions, including the presidential election, Senate and House of Representatives seats.
Haruna said the commission had no legal basis to accept submissions from the rival faction because it lost its appeal for recognition.
Reacting to the development, the ADC called for the investigation and prosecution of its factional leader, Nafiu Bala, over claims that he had uploaded candidates through INEC’s restricted nomination portal.
The party described the claim as false and welcomed INEC’s clarification that only the Mark-led National Executive Committee was granted access to the portal.
According to the ADC, falsely claiming access to the commission’s nomination platform is a serious matter that should attract criminal investigation.
The party urged INEC and relevant law enforcement agencies to investigate everyone involved in making or promoting the alleged false claim.
Haruna also addressed Monday’s Court of Appeal judgment on the ADC leadership dispute, saying INEC would study the Certified True Copy of the ruling before taking any further position.
The appellate court upheld an earlier Federal High Court judgment that restrained INEC from recognising state congresses conducted by caretaker committees appointed by the Mark-led leadership.
However, the ADC insisted that the judgment relates only to the conduct of state congresses and does not affect the validity of its direct primaries or the candidates already submitted for the 2027 elections.
