2027: INEC may decide fate of ADC leadership next week
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may take a position on the leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) next week, as uncertainty continues over the Federal High Court judgment that nullified the party’s David Mark-led National Working Committee.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, disclosed that the commission could consider the matter at its next meeting, possibly on Tuesday or Thursday.
He, however, stressed that no definite date had been fixed, as the commission must first obtain and study the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu on November 5.
Haruna, who spoke in a telephone interview, said INEC had received the ADC’s notice of appeal and application for a stay of execution but had yet to receive the certified judgment as of Tuesday night.
“I’m not aware we received the CTC. We still haven’t received it,” he said.
“What we had received was the appeal by ADC and the application for a stay. I think those ones were received. But as for the certified true copy of the judgement, we still haven’t received it.”
Explaining the delay, Haruna disclosed that the INEC chairman was away on an official assignment and was expected to return on Sunday.
He said the commission, which ordinarily meets on Thursdays but occasionally convenes on Tuesdays, could consider the ADC dispute after the chairman’s return.
“As soon as he’s back, I’m sure we’ll probably hold a meeting,” Haruna said.
Asked whether the meeting could take place on Tuesday, November 17, he replied: “Possibly even Tuesday. Because I think he should be back before then.”
The commissioner nevertheless cautioned that the proposed dates were tentative, adding that he could not guarantee when the electoral body would reach a decision.
The development comes amid growing pressure on INEC to clarify its position on the November 5 judgment, which invalidated the emergence of former Senate President David Mark and former Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola as ADC national officers.
Justice Lifu also declared all decisions and actions taken by the affected leadership from July 29, 2025, null and void, raising questions about the implications for the party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The court directed INEC to recognise Nafiu Bala Gombe as the only elected member of the party’s previous National Working Committee whose four-year tenure remained in effect.
However, the ADC rejected the judgment and approached the Court of Appeal, seeking to overturn the decision.
The party also applied for a stay of execution and urged INEC not to take consequential steps pending the determination of its legal challenge.