The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has released an affidavit it says confirms the leadership of a National Working Committee (NWC) led by former Senate President David Mark, deepening the party’s ongoing leadership crisis.
The affidavit, according to the party, was issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on 12 September 2025 and explicitly recognised the Mark-led NWC.
The party shared details of the document on its official X handle, “ADC Vanguard,” highlighting that INEC had affirmed its leadership transition and emphasised that internal party affairs fall outside judicial interference.
The development comes after INEC recently refused to recognise the Mark-led leadership, prompting outrage within the party and among opposition figures. ADC leaders argued that the commission’s current stance contradicts its earlier position, citing clauses 14 to 19 of the affidavit.
“This affidavit clearly shows that INEC had acknowledged and accepted the outcome of our internal processes,” a senior party official said. “For the same institution to now turn around and deny that recognition raises serious legal and ethical questions. You cannot approbate and reprobate at the same time.”
The party also accused the ruling Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration and INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu of attempting to use state institutions to weaken opposition parties ahead of future elections.
“It is now crystal clear that the APC is attempting to weaponise INEC to foist a one-party system on Nigeria,” the party said, warning that such actions threaten the foundation of democratic governance.
ADC described the dispute as more than an internal party issue, framing it as a broader struggle to preserve Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.
The party called on Nigerians, civil society organisations, and the international community to take note of what it described as “a critical moment” in the country’s democratic journey.
