Former Senate President David Mark has asked a federal court in Abuja to overturn a decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw recognition of his leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a suit filed before the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, Mr Mark is seeking an order directing INEC to restore his name as national chairman of the party, alongside Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary.
INEC had earlier removed the names of both men from its official records, effectively withdrawing recognition of the party’s national working committee. The commission also said it would no longer recognise any faction of the ADC following its review of a Court of Appeal judgment.
Through his lawyer, Mr Mark argued that INEC misinterpreted an earlier ruling which directed parties to maintain the “status quo ante bellum”.
“The ‘status quo ante bellum’ refers to the last lawful, uncontested state of affairs prior to the institution of the suit,” his lawyer said.
He added that as of September 2025, Mr Mark was the recognised national chairman of the party, and that the leadership structure was already in place.
The suit also seeks to compel INEC to monitor the party’s congresses and convention, and to restrain the commission from recognising any rival leadership pending the determination of the case.
According to the legal team, INEC’s decision has created uncertainty within the party and affected its operations.
“The present uncertainty surrounding the leadership of ADC is affecting its internal administration, impeding its participation in political activities and creating avoidable institutional confusion,” the lawyer said.
Mr Mark is also asking the court for an accelerated hearing of the case.
“This is a proper case for the exercise of the equitable jurisdiction of this honourable court,” the lawyer added.
The case follows an internal leadership dispute within the ADC, after a rival faction led by Nafiu Bala challenged the legitimacy of Mr Mark’s leadership.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the case.
