Politics

The Independent National Electoral Commission has resolved to remove the names of the National Working Committee of the African Democratic Congress led by David Mark from its official portal, in compliance with a Court of Appeal order. INEC disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, stressing that it would maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the determination of a substantive suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja. The decision follows a protracted leadership crisis within the ADC, with rival factions led by Nafiu Bala Gombe and Mark laying claim to the party’s national structure. According to the commission, the appellate court, in a judgment delivered on March 12, 2026, directed all parties to maintain the existing situation before the dispute arose and refrain from actions that could prejudice the outcome of the case. Read Also: Former VP Atiku Visits Kwankwaso After Joining ADC Tinubu Meets Ganduje, Badaru in Separate Aso Rock Consultations Ex-Kano Deputy Governor Gawuna Completes ADC Registration, Receives Membership Card “That the Commission would, in accordance with the Order of the Court of Appeal in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026 refrain from taking any step or doing any act capable of foisting a fait accompli on the court or otherwise rendering nugatory the proceedings before the trial court, having regard to all the processes filed before the trial Court,”the statement read. INEC explained that although the names of the current NWC members were uploaded on its portal on September 9, 2025, the action was taken after the suit had already been filed on September 2, 2025. It noted that, in line with the court order, the names would now be removed pending the resolution of the matter. “Since the names of the current National Working Committee members led by Senator David Mark were uploaded on 9th September, 2025 by INEC (7 days after the suit was instituted), the names would be removed from the INEC portal pursuant to the order of the Court of Appeal to maintain the status quo ante bellum until the matter is decided by the trial court,” INEC said. The commission also rejected a request by Bala’s camp to recognise him as acting national chairman, stating that granting such a request would violate the court’s directive. INEC further announced that it would suspend all engagements with the party’s factions, including monitoring of meetings, congresses, or conventions, until the court delivers a final ruling. “The Commission shall not receive any further communication or deal with any of the parties or groups pertaining to the affairs of the party,” it added. The electoral body reiterated its commitment to neutrality and strict adherence to judicial pronouncements, urging political actors to avoid actions capable of disrupting preparations for the 2027 general elections. The leadership tussle in the ADC has triggered a series of legal battles, with both factions approaching the courts to assert control over the party’s structure. (Punch)

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has visited former Kano State Governor, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, at his residence. Atiku disclosed this in a statement he posted via his Facebook page on Wednesday. Read Also: Tinubu Meets Ganduje, Badaru in Separate Aso Rock Consultations Kano Political Shift: Ganduje Hails Reps’ Defection to APC Ex-Kano Deputy Governor Gawuna Completes ADC Registration, Receives Membership Card According to him, the discussions between them focused on the progress of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and how to ensure good governance. ‘The Historica Nigeria‘ had reported that Kwankwaso, recently joined the ADC after resigning from the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP).

The Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri has delivered a decisive judgement in the protracted leadership crisis within the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), affirming Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam as the recognised leader of the party. In its ruling, the appellate court set aside an earlier decision of the Abia State High Court in Uzuakoli, which had vacated its previous judgement delivered in favour of the faction led by Aniebonam. The appellate court held that the lower court erred in granting a motion that effectively reversed its own earlier judgement, thereby upholding all three grounds of appeal filed by the Aniebonam-led faction. The dispute stems from a November 2024 judgement of the Uzuakoli High Court in Suit No. HUZ/11/2024, which had recognised the Board of Trustees of the NNPP under Aniebonam. However, in June 2025, the same court granted an application that set aside that ruling, following a motion filed by Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso. Read Also: Radiographers Oppose Health Bills, Warn of Threat to Professional Autonomy Ex-Kano Deputy Governor Gawuna Dumps APC, Signals Possible New Alignment APC Founded to Drive Change, Reduce Poverty — Tinubu Dissatisfied with the reversal, the Aniebonam faction approached the Court of Appeal in Owerri (Appeal No. CA/OW/271/2025), arguing that the trial judge lacked the jurisdiction to sit on appeal over his own judgement. Delivering its verdict, the Court of Appeal agreed with the appellants, restoring the earlier judgement and effectively recognising Aniebonam as the legitimate leader of the party he founded in 2001. Legal representation in the matter saw Onitsha-based senior counsel, Sir Azubike Anazor, appear for Aniebonam, while Abuja-based Eyitayo Fatogun, SAN, represented Kwankwaso. The NNPP, which fielded Kwankwaso as its presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, has been embroiled in internal disputes over its leadership structure, with rival factions laying claim to control of the party.