The updated records, reflected on INEC’s website on Thursday, list Mark as National Chairman and Aregbesola as National Secretary.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reinstated former Senate President David Mark and ex-Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola on its official portal as recognised leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), marking a fresh development in the party’s prolonged leadership crisis.
The updated records, reflected on INEC’s website on Thursday, list Mark as National Chairman and Aregbesola as National Secretary.
Also included are Dr Mani Ibrahim Ahmed as National Treasurer, Akibu Dalhatu as National Financial Secretary, and Prof Oserheimen Osunbor as National Legal Adviser.
The development comes after INEC had earlier removed the names of the party’s national officers from its portal in compliance with a Court of Appeal directive, following a deepening dispute over the authentic leadership of the ADC.
At the time, the commission declined to recognise any faction, insisting it would only act based on valid court pronouncements while the matter remained before the courts.
The leadership tussle stemmed from an internal struggle between the Mark-led faction and another group associated with Nafiu Bala, a dispute that produced conflicting court orders and left INEC in a position of neutrality.
The situation was further complicated by a “status quo” order from the Court of Appeal, which temporarily halted recognition of any leadership structure and deepened uncertainty within the party.
However, the Supreme Court has now set aside the appellate court’s directive, holding that such an order could not stand after the substantive issues had been determined, effectively clearing the way for INEC’s latest update.
Despite the reinstatement on INEC’s portal, the broader leadership dispute is still unresolved, as the substantive case has been returned to the Federal High Court for hearing on its merits.
Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision affirming the Mark-led structure, but warned that the political and legal battle within the ADC is not yet over.
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