INEC suspends ADC leadership recognition nationwide per court order
INEC has suspended recognition of all African Democratic Congress (ADC) leadership factions, effective Wednesday, March 31, 2026. The electoral commission said the decision follows a Court of Appeal ruling and maintains the status quo as it existed before September 2, 2025, pending a Federal High Court Abuja determination of the substantive suit over the party's leadership.
This means ADC cannot undertake any activities requiring INEC recognition—such as candidate nominations, campaign coordination, or official party functions—until the court case concludes. All faction leaders, including those recognized prior to the litigation, are affected by the suspension. The commission emphasized both parties in the legal dispute must maintain the status quo as ordered by the Court of Appeal.
The ADC is the latest political party facing internal leadership crisis that triggers INEC intervention. Similar suspensions have affected other parties in recent years, raising questions about internal democracy and party management. For now, ADC's operations are frozen at their September 2025 configuration.
For ADC members and aspirants: Will you wait for the court's ruling or defect to another party before the 2027 elections? For voters: How does ADC's instability influence your party preference in the next electoral cycle?