INEC Disowns Fake Poster Amid ADC Leadership Crisis

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disowned a social media poster claiming the commission reaffirmed the leadership of Senator David Mark within the African Democratic Congress (ADC). In a statement on November 6, 2026, INEC condemned the unauthorized use of its logo and the image of National Commissioner Mohammed Haruna, labeling the publication as fake.

This controversy follows a November 5 Federal High Court judgment in Abuja delivered by Justice Peter Lifu. The ruling declared the National Working Committee and Caretaker Committee led by Senator David Mark illegal for breaching the party constitution and the Electoral Act. Consequently, the court nullified all activities undertaken by the Mark-led executive, including the presidential primaries that nominated former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi as the 2027 presidential ticket.

The National Executive Committee (NEC) Chairmen Forum of the ADC is now demanding that INEC remove Senator David Mark from official records and recognize Nafiu Bala Gombe as the authentic national chairman. The forum has threatened nationwide protests if INEC fails to update its portal and reopen the candidate-submission portal for fresh primaries. Despite these demands and the court ruling, INEC's official website continues to list the Mark-led executive as the party's national leadership.

While the All Progressives Congress denied involvement in the dispute, critics allege the ruling was orchestrated to eliminate political rivals. Conversely, the Nigeria Democratic Congress warned that the judgment threatens multi-party democracy.