INEC suspends ADC recognition amid leadership crisis, Obi slams Tinubu govt

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally removed former Senate President David Mark and former Osun Governor Rauf Aregbesola from its portal as National Chairman and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). INEC also stated it will not recognise Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is seeking a court declaration as national chairman. Critically, INEC has suspended recognition of all ADC factions and will not monitor any conventions or congresses organised by rival groups, pending a final ruling by the Federal High Court.

Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi reacted sharply on Thursday, calling the situation a betrayal of democratic ideals. He drew a stark historical parallel, writing: "Yesterday defenders of democracy, today’s destroyers. What a shame." Obi argued that those who fought for democracy under the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) during General Sani Abacha’s regime now appear to be acting worse than the military juncture they opposed.

The ADC crisis centres on competing claims to its leadership, creating parallel factions. INEC’s unprecedented step to halt monitoring effectively freezes the party’s organisational capacity ahead of the 2027 election cycle. The commission’s stance means ADC cannot legally conduct valid primaries or congresses until the court resolves the leadership dispute.

This development leaves ADC members and aspirants in limbo, with no recognised structure to participate in electoral processes. The Federal High Court’s substantive suit now determines the party’s fate. Political analysts note that prolonged factionalism risks deregistration, squandering the ADC’s existing ballot access and membership base.

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/04/02/what-a-shame-peter-obi-blasts-tinubu-govt-over-adc-crisis/