ADC Leadership: Former INEC Director Faults Commission, Insists David Mark-Led Exco Remains Valid

A former director of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Barrister Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, has criticized the commission’s decision to withdraw recognition from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) leadership led by David Mark, describing the move as incorrect and inconsistent with legal realities.

Osaze-Uzzi maintained that INEC misinterpreted the ruling of the Court of Appeal, stressing that the judgment did not nullify the leadership of the former Senate President but rather called for the preservation of the status quo pending the determination of the substantive case.

According to him, the implication of maintaining the “status quo” is that the leadership structure in place before the legal dispute should remain, which, he argued, includes the David Mark-led executive. He emphasized that INEC’s decision to step back from recognising the leadership contradicts this principle.

The development comes amid a deepening leadership crisis within the ADC, following INEC’s earlier announcement that it would no longer recognise either faction of the party until the courts deliver a final judgment on the matter.

INEC had also removed the names of key figures, including David Mark, from its records and stated that it would refrain from engaging with any of the rival factions or monitoring their activities pending the outcome of ongoing litigation.

The dispute within the party stems from competing claims to leadership after internal changes in 2025, with opposing camps seeking judicial affirmation of their positions.

Osaze-Uzzi, however, insisted that until a final ruling is delivered, the electoral body should adhere strictly to legal interpretations and avoid actions that may be seen as prejudicial to the outcome of the case.

The controversy has continued to generate reactions across political circles, with stakeholders warning that the situation could have broader implications for opposition politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.