Festus Keyamo Urges ADC to Thank INEC Over Derecognition of Rival Factions

The Festus Keyamo has called on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to appreciate the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its recent decision to derecognise rival factions of the party’s leadership linked to David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola.

In a statement posted on X, Keyamo said the leadership dispute in the ADC is primarily a legal issue, not a political one, stressing that the faction led by David Mark had created the problem themselves. “Law does not admit of sentiment. Decisions are based on facts, evidence, and interpretation of laws, rather than on sympathy, emotion or political considerations,” he said.

Keyamo dismissed arguments about maintaining the status quo ante bellum, highlighting that what matters is a pending court case brought by a duly elected Deputy National Chairman. He warned that until the legal matter is resolved, any actions by either faction could be declared invalid, potentially leaving the ADC without candidates for upcoming elections.

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Rather than vilifying INEC, the minister suggested that the party view the derecognition as a timely warning, stating, “Instead of vilifying INEC, the ADC should thank them for this timely action, which forewarns the party of the danger ahead.” He also advised the ADC to resolve its internal crisis, seek accelerated court hearings, or explore alternative political options.

Keyamo rejected claims that the government or the All Progressives Congress (APC) orchestrated the ADC’s crisis, emphasising that the leadership dispute arose from internal mismanagement and poor legal planning. He added that continuing with planned congresses and conventions in defiance of court orders would compound the party’s problems.

The minister’s statement follows INEC’s derecognition of the David Mark-led faction, which was guided by a Court of Appeal ruling and ongoing litigation over the party’s legitimate leadership. INEC has also indicated that it will not recognise any faction until the court delivers a final judgment.

Keyamo’s remarks come amid rising tensions within Nigeria’s political landscape, highlighting the importance of legal compliance in party leadership disputes and the implications for 2027 general elections preparations.

Festus Keyamo Urges ADC to Thank INEC Over Derecognition of Rival Factions

APC Rejects ADC Claims, Says Tinubu Not Responsible for Party’s Legal Troubles

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has fired back at the African Democratic Congress (ADC) faction led by David Mark, dismissing allegations that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is working to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections as “puerile propaganda” and “deliberate mischief.”

At a press conference in Abuja, APC’s National Working Committee (NWC), through National Secretary Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru and National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka, described the ADC’s criticisms as the desperate gasps of a party struggling with self-inflicted legal crises.

Addressing claims that the Presidency is stifling opposition, Basiru emphasised that President Tinubu is a democrat who respects the multi-party system. He noted that Nigeria currently has 19 registered political parties capable of contesting the 2027 elections, and stressed that Tinubu has no authority to deregister any party.

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The APC explained that the ADC’s problems are the result of an internal leadership dispute. The Court of Appeal dismissed Mark’s appeal as “unmeritorious” and “procedurally flawed,” ordering all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum regarding the leadership of the ADC. The APC said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was simply complying with the court order by withdrawing recognition of the Mark-led faction.

Basiru and Morka argued that blaming President Tinubu for the ADC’s challenges is fallacious and malicious propaganda. They also slammed the ADC’s call for the sacking of INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan and other commissioners, calling it preposterous and reckless.

The APC further warned that proceeding with congresses and national conventions while litigation is ongoing could encourage disorder. Basiru noted that internal party disputes have consequences, citing the APC’s own Zamfara State crisis, where the party lost previously won seats due to unresolved internal issues.

Describing the David Mark-led ADC as a “contraption of electoral unviability,” the ruling party reaffirmed its focus on governance and urged opposition parties to prioritise internal cohesion and legal compliance over public finger-pointing.

Political analysts say the clash reflects the broader struggle within Nigeria’s opposition parties and underscores the importance of internal democracy and legal compliance for political credibility ahead of the 2027 elections.

APC Rejects ADC Claims, Says Tinubu Not Responsible for Party’s Legal Troubles

ADC Crisis Deepens as Bala Denies Resignation, Insists on Chairmanship

The leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has taken a fresh turn, as factional national chairman, Nafiu Bala, has firmly denied reports that he resigned from his position as deputy national chairman.

Bala’s reaction follows the recent decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) concerning the protracted leadership tussle within the party.

In a viral video message delivered in Hausa, Bala dismissed as fake a document circulating online which purportedly showed that he resigned from his role as national vice-chairman on May 17, 2025.

“I wish to state that this paper did not come from me, and that is not my signature on it. The signature you see there was forged,” he said.

Bala, who identified himself as the acting national chairman of the party, maintained that his emergence followed the resignation of the party’s former leadership.

According to him, during a political event held on July 2, 2025, the then national chairman, Ralph Nwosu, alongside other members of the National Working Committee, stepped down and mandated him and others to oversee the party’s affairs pending the conduct of a national convention.

“On that same day, he told the world that I, along with other people, would continue running the party affairs until the national convention,” Bala stated.

He argued that, in line with the party’s constitution, he had since assumed leadership as acting national chairman, noting that a deputy is empowered to take over in the absence of a substantive leader.

Bala further insisted that any authentic resignation letter from him would have been issued on his official letterhead, stressing that the disputed document lacked such formal backing.

This is not the first time Bala has disowned the alleged resignation, having earlier, on August 1, 2025, described the document as “entirely false, deceptive, malicious and fake.”

Litigation Deepens Rift

The controversy over Bala’s status forms a critical aspect of the ongoing legal battle for the party’s leadership, involving former Senate President, David Mark.

Mark, who is leading a rival faction within the party, has maintained that Bala had indeed resigned from his position, stating that the resignation was officially communicated to INEC on August 12, 2025.

“It is on record that Gombe resigned this position on May 17, 2025,” Mark said, adding that Bala’s subsequent legal action came months after his alleged resignation.

The dispute escalated to the courts after Bala, on September 2, 2025, filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to restrain Mark and his associates from parading themselves as leaders of the party.

He also requested the court to compel INEC to recognise him as the acting national chairman and to halt party activities, including meetings and conventions, pending the determination of the case.

The presiding judge, Emeka Nwite, subsequently directed that all respondents, including INEC, be put on notice.

Dissatisfied with interim proceedings, Mark approached the Court of Appeal to challenge the jurisdiction of the lower court.

However, in a ruling delivered on March 12, 2026, the appellate court dismissed Mark’s appeal in its entirety, describing it as incompetent and lacking merit.

INEC’s Position

The lingering crisis has significantly affected the party’s standing with INEC, which recently withdrew recognition of the ADC leadership and removed the names of the Mark-led executive from its official portal.

The development underscores the deepening factional divide within the party, raising concerns over its organisational stability ahead of future political engagements.

As both camps continue to assert legitimacy, the ADC remains embroiled in a protracted leadership battle, with legal and political uncertainties yet to be fully resolved.

ADC Crisis Deepens as Bala Denies Resignation, Insists on Chairmanship