Appeal Court Bars INEC from Recognising Mark-Led ADC Congresses, INEC Denies Bala Access to Nomination Portal.
By Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu
Democracy Newsline
Northern Bureau Chief
July 13, 2026
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld a Federal High Court judgment restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising state congresses conducted by committees appointed by the Senator David Mark-led caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). In a split 2-1 decision, the court ruled that only duly elected state executive committees have the constitutional authority to conduct state congresses, declaring the Mark-led congresses and related national convention invalid.
The court also imposed a ₦10 million cost against the ADC, while the party vowed to challenge the judgment at the Supreme Court.
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Meanwhile, INEC has dismissed claims by a factional ADC leader, Nafiu Bala, that he was granted access to the commission’s nomination portal to upload candidates for the 2027 general elections.
The commission described the allegation as false, reaffirming that Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola remain the recognised national officers of the ADC for official dealings, according to its records.
The developments have further intensified the leadership dispute within the opposition party ahead of the 2027 elections.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, JULY 13TH 2026)
