The Independent National Electoral Commission, has announced a series of measures to maintain neutrality in the ongoing leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress, including the removal of a faction’s leadership names from its official portal.

This was contained in a press statement signed by the National Commissioner/Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, on Wednesday.

 

TVC News Online reports that the party has been recording some high-profile membership in recent days in the build up the the 2027 polls.

 

According to INEC, the decision on ADC was reached at its meeting on Tuesday and followed an order by the Court of Appeal directing all parties to preserve the “status quo ante bellum”—the situation as it existed before September 2, 2025, when a pending suit was first filed.

 

The commission emphasised that its actions were strictly guided by judicial directives.

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“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 Commission refused to accede to the request of the Plaintiff’s Solicitors to allow Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe to take over the affairs of ADC pending the determination of the case. The Commission shall not, given the reliefs claimed in the Originating Summons and the pending motions, receive any further communication or deal with any of the parties or groups pertaining the affairs of the party and will not monitor any Meeting, Congress or Convention convened on behalf of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) by any group until the matter is decided by the Federal High Court, Abuja so as not to do any act capable of foisting a fait accompli on the court or otherwise rendering nugatory the proceedings before the trial court.

 

“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.”

 

Reaffirming its institutional stance, Haruna said the commission remains committed to “neutrality, impartiality and strict compliance with judicial orders,” while urging political actors to act responsibly. He warned that stakeholders must avoid actions that could disrupt preparations for the 2027 general election timetable.