Melaye Slams INEC Over ADC Delisting, Vows Legal Fight
Senator Dino Melaye, a key chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has fiercely criticised INEC's decision to cease recognising David Mark's leadership of the party, calling it a 'Jankara'—meaning a twisted or biased—interpretation of a court ruling. Melaye, appearing on Channels Television on Thursday, accused INEC of intentionally leaving the opposition party leaderless during ongoing membership registration and congresses to sabotage its 2027 election preparations. He announced the ADC has already sued INEC and plans a separate criminal suit, alleging officials committed 'complete disobedience of the court order.'
INEC's Wednesday statement, signed by Mohammed Kudu of the Information and Voter Education department, cited its review of a March 12 Court of Appeal judgment. The commission declared it will no longer engage with either the Mark-led faction or that of Rafiu Bala (Gombe), nor monitor any of their activities, until the Federal High Court resolves the leadership tussle. INEC also said it would remove Mark's name from its portal.
The roots of the conflict trace to July 2025 when the Ralph Nwosu-led National Working Committee resigned, with Mark and former Osun Governor Rauf Aregbesola taking over as interim chairman and national secretary. However, Gombe, then vice-chairman, claimed he should have automatically succeeded Nwosu and approached the courts. The ADC had been adopted by an opposition coalition specifically to challenge the ruling APC in the 2027 general elections.
Melaye alleged INEC sided with Gombe based on a letter from a man who 'voluntarily resigned on May 17,' vowing: 'Nigeria belongs to all of us... ADC will participate in this election and defeat Tinubu come May 29.'
This institutional non-recognition creates a critical cliffhanger for the opposition's 2027 strategy. With primaries approaching, the ADC's ability to field candidates hinges on this legal battle. Will the courts reinstate Mark's faction before the deadline, or will the opposition coalition be forced to adopt a new platform?