#OccupyINEC Protest Gains Momentum as Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso Back ADC Rally over derecognition of David Mark-led leadership, insist Amupitan must go

ADC promises that INEC won’t prevent us from running on our party platform.

A. Congress is suspended as the Anambra chapter

A. Leaders of the PDP and ADC meet behind closed doors in Abuja

On Wednesday in Abuja, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) peacefully protested the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) rejection of Sen. David Mark’s leadership.

The protest started from Maitama Roundabout to INEC, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

the FCT’s headquarters.

According to NAN, former vice president Atiku Abubakar, Mr. Peter Obi, Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso, Rotimi Amaechi, Aminu Tambuwal, and Dino Melaye are among the protesters headed by Mark, the party’s national chairman.

Speaking at the demonstration, Mark asserted that the judiciary, not the INEC chairman, was solely responsible for interpreting court rulings.

He claimed that trying to take over the work of the judiciary constituted a grave violation of the constitution and an insult to the separation of powers theory.

The impression that the commission has abandoned impartiality and instead sided with factional interests is strengthened by INEC’s earlier correspondence to ADC.

He declared, “This is not only inappropriate, but it is dangerous for the credibility of our electoral system.”

According to Mark, the person in question was present at the ADC NEC meeting where Chief Ralph Nwosu’s NWC, of which Nafiu Bala was a member, was dissolved.

“Any subsequent reliance on his former authority, position, or signature is fundamentally flawed, contradictory, and devoid of legal credibility because he participated in that decision,” he stated.

Mark and Rauf Aregbesola signed a protest letter that was delivered to INEC during the demonstration, in which ADC asked

Prof. Joash Amupitan, INEC Chairman, resigned immediately.

In addition, the party demanded that INEC immediately retract its “offensive correspondence” to ADC and issue a formal apology.

The demonstrators demanded that INEC make a firm pledge to stop meddling in political parties’ internal issues going forward.

If INEC did not comply with its demands, ADC threatened to use all legal and constitutional tools to enforce accountability, including coordinated civic action and judicial actions.

According to NAN, a party group headed by Nafiu Bala had filed a lawsuit against the Mark faction to take over the party.

According to NAN, INEC suspended the two groups’ recognition in response to a Court of Appeal decision and the continuing legal dispute over the party’s leadership before a Federal High Court.

Journalists in Abuja were given access to the party’s open letter to INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan on Wednesday, which was signed by former Senate President and ADC chairman Senator David Mark and ADC National Secretary Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

It says:

The African Democratic Congress (ADC)

ADC Transformation Center & Global Campus

Ademola Adetokunbo Crescent, Plot 121

Wuse II, Nigeria’s Abuja

Email: info@adcparty.org.ng | Website: www.adcparty.org.ng

09090690000, 08105507372

April 8, 2026

Joseph Amupitan, Professor, SAN

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman,

INEC National Headquarters,

Zambezi Crescent, Plot 436

Abuja’s Maitama.

Respected Sir,

RE: PARTISAN CONDUCT, GROSS MISCONDUCT, CONSTITUTIONAL BREACH, AND THREAT TO MULTI-PARTY DEMOCRACY REQUIRE YOUR IMMEDIATE RESIGNATION OR REMOVAL FROM OFFICE

We are writing to express our deepest disapproval of your recent public remarks and actions, which have increased doubts regarding your suitability to serve as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In addition to being shameful and inappropriate for the lofty position you hold, your recent media appearance revealed a concerning propensity to engage in partisan dispute and take on tasks that are well outside the Commission’s constitutional authority.

Your attempt to position yourself as an interpreter of court rulings is really concerning. This is completely intolerable. The judiciary alone has the authority to interpret court rulings. It would be a grave constitutional violation and an insult to the theory of separation of powers for the Chairman of INEC to openly take on that position while providing partisan interpretations of court decisions that seem to favor a certain person.

The impression that the Commission under your direction has abandoned neutrality and instead sided with factional interests is strengthened by your actions as well as INEC’s previous correspondence to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). This is not only wrong, but it also jeopardizes the legitimacy of our electoral system.

Additionally, it is documented that the person in question was present at the ADC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, where the National Working Committee (NWC), which Chief Ralph Nwosu chaired and of which he was a member, was properly dissolved. Any later reliance on his prior authority, position, or signature is essentially defective, inconsistent, and lacking in legal credibility because he participated in that judgment.

Serious concerns regarding institutional overreach and prejudice are raised by INEC’s stance in this area.

INEC is not a legal tribunal. It isn’t an advocate. It is not required to interpret rulings in a way that supports a favored narrative. It has a clear obligation to act impartially and professionally while scrupulously adhering to the law and the Constitution.

Beyond these violations, we categorically denounce what can only be characterized as a risky and intolerable attempt to weaken and overthrow Nigeria’s multi-party democracy. Democratic pluralism is undermined by any action, policy, or behavior that distorts the electoral process, elevates a disgruntled party member to the position of factional leader, or interferes with political parties’ internal autonomy. And you’ve done all of these.

Without reservation, we declare that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) will legally, strongly, and fiercely oppose any such attempt. Political plurality was the cornerstone of Nigeria’s democracy, and no person or organization shall be permitted to undermine it through partisan behavior or excessive administrative power.

We recognize that many men and women of integrity and conscience who have worked for our nation and the integrity of its election process throughout the years have been and continue to be members of the INEC. However, your actions have effectively damaged the Commission’s reputation and severely undermined public trust, giving the impression that you are willing to waste their efforts.

To dispel any questions, we describe below the fundamental procedure that gave rise to the David Mark-led executive, which amply demonstrated that you are capable of knowing the truth but have chosen to misrepresent or disregard it.

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Party, ADC, met on March 27, 2025, at the National Headquarters and Transformation Center, 4 Oyo St., Area 2, Abuja. Among other things, it resolved to disregard the stipulations of Articles 9.3(1)(2)(3) & 9.4(1). The Chairman of the Party had previously emphasized these Articles of the Party’s Constitution as obstacles to the Party’s goal of creating an all-inclusive Party that will unite other stakeholders in a wide-ranging patriotic coalition. In order to achieve this, Peter Oyewole Esq., the Party’s National Legal Advisor, proposed that Article 9.4(4) be used appropriately. At the meeting, this motion was approved. NWC, NEC members, and INEC officials attended this meeting. Additionally, the Party sent the meeting report to INEC in a letter dated April 3, 2025, and the Chairman of INEC acknowledged receipt of it at his office.

Another National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting took place at the Chelsea Hotel in Abuja’s central business district on April 4, 2025. Among other things, this meeting decided to:

an. The Party’s constitution’s Article 23(4), which might prohibit the merit-based assumption of open positions, should be suspended.

A b. Give the National Chairman, Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu, and the National Working Committee (NWC) the authority to take all necessary steps, make the necessary choices, and involve pertinent parties in order to successfully form, coordinate, and carry out the coalition in accordance with the Party’s goals and vision.

(c). The meeting unanimously approved and adopted the resolutions.

NWC, NEC members, and INEC officials attended this meeting. The INEC Chairman received the meeting’s report in a letter dated May 21, 2025. On May 30, 2025, it was acknowledged as received in the INEC Chairman’s office.

The National Working Committee (NWC) adopted the following resolutions during its meeting on July 2, 2025, in accordance with the May 15, 2025, NEC order previously mentioned:

an. creation of a Caretaker Committee to oversee the Party’s operations in light of internal reorganization and the coalition process.

A b. Senator David Mark is the caretaker national chairman, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is the caretaker national secretary, Abdullahi is the caretaker national publicity secretary, and other members are appointed to the Caretaker Committee/Interim NWC.

(c). The Caretaker Committee will oversee the Party’s operations for at least a year.

The Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) convened at the Chelsea Hotel in Abuja’s central business district on July 29, 2025, and among other things, made the following decisions:

an. approval of NWC decisions and creation of a Caretaker Committee to oversee Party operations in light of internal reorganization and the coalition process.

A b. approval of the nomination and makeup of the Caretaker Committee, which consists of all the aforementioned officers.

(c). The National Secretary, Alhaji Saidu Baba Abdullahi, and National Chairman, Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu, were required to promptly inform INEC of the Party’s leadership changes.

The d. Members were sworn into their different positions and required oaths of office were administered after the Party’s NEC unanimously approved the motions and ratified the Caretaker Committee members. Without a single protest, this was carried out in front of INEC representatives and NEC members. All of the recently appointed members of the NEC’s Caretaker Committee pledged their allegiance to the African Democratic Congress and its Constitution. There was not a single voice that objected or disagreed.

The e. Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu and Alhaji Saidu Baba Abdullahi followed the NEC’s instructions and submitted the meeting report to INEC.

The f. INEC acknowledged the new leadership and uploaded the major officers to its electronic portal based on this transparent and open process.

As a result of the aforementioned, no member of the Party’s former NWC has any right or claim to any office going forward.

Additionally, you should be aware that all of the aforementioned information is categorically confirmed by INEC’s own affidavit, which was sworn in the Federal High Court on September 12. We must also let you know that we are aware of the efforts INEC is making in accordance with your order and the pressure being applied to honest INEC staff to retract their testimony, which goes against the agenda you have chosen to promote. This is definitely unacceptable.

Considering everything mentioned before, we hereby demand:

Your prompt departure from your position in order to protect INEC’s integrity; OR

Because of your egregious wrongdoing, abuse of office, and breach of constitutional boundaries, you will be immediately removed by the relevant constitutional authorities.

Additionally, we restate our demand for:

INEC’s disrespectful correspondence to the ADC must be immediately withdrawn;

an official apology to the party; and

a firm pledge to stop meddling in political parties’ internal matters going forward.

Be aware that if we don’t comply, we will have no choice but to use all legal and constitutional means to guarantee accountability, such as court cases and concerted public action.

On the altar of institutional compromise, Nigeria’s democracy cannot and will not be compromised.

Faithfully yours,

David Mark, a senator

Chairman of the National

Congress of African Democrats (ADC)

Aregbesola Ogbeni Rauf

Secretary of the Nation,

Congress of African Democrats (ADC)

Congresses in Anambra are suspended by ADC

All state congresses have been stopped till further notice by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Anambra Chapter.

In a statement released in Awka and made accessible to reporters on Wednesday, the party’s chairman and secretary, Mr. Patrick Obianyo and Mr. Lawrence Okeke, revealed this.

The decision, according to the party, was made to demonstrate its dedication to the rule of law, due process, and respect for judicial authorities.

All of its stakeholders and members were instructed to “remain calm, law-abiding, and peaceful throughout this period.”

The statement stated that following the conclusion of the ongoing national consultations and meetings, new dates for the congresses and conventions would be announced.

It declared that the Obianyo-led committee was still legitimate and asked the public and the Independent National Electoral Commission to ignore any orders, statements, or acts coming from other people.

“As we navigate this period, we urge all members and supporters of ADC to continue upholding peace, unity, and discipline,” the party continued.

Despite the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) decision to stop acknowledging the party’s leadership due to a court ruling, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has promised to run in the 2027 general election under its own platform.

Bolaji Abdullahi, the national publicity secretary for the ADC, appeared as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday and voiced optimism that the opposition party will overcome all obstacles.

“I can assure you that we will run on the ADC platform in the 2027 election,” Abdullahi declared.

“We still have faith in the judiciary notwithstanding what has transpired in Nigeria. We think our case is clear-cut. We are certain that justice will be served if we are given the accelerated hearing today and the court convenes. We are certain of that. We are planning for the worst while simultaneously hoping for the best.

“If the same INEC that swore in an affidavit that it was aware of the leadership change in the ADC is now turning around to say what they are saying, they are not going to stop us,” the spokesperson continued, arguing that the party had nothing to fear because it had given INEC the recommended 21-day notice for its congresses.

He emphasized that the party will not just quit up, cautioning that doing so would make them complicit in the deterioration of Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.

One-Party State Issues

Abdullahi vowed that the ADC would oppose the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu’s attempts to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.

Nigeria won’t turn into a one-party state in our age, according to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). We’ll use all legal measures to oppose it,” he declared.

He claims that the ruling party is in a panic due to internal polls and that President Tinubu is aware of his lack of popularity.

“Nigerians no longer want the APC, despite the party having nearly all of the governors and lawmakers,” he stated.

Abdullahi also said that in order to ensure that Tinubu is the only contender for president in 2027, the ruling party is working to undermine alternative political groups.

The agenda is the same. When we get there in 2027, they want President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to be the only contender. The agenda is as follows.

“It is the reason they destroyed the NNPP; it is the reason they destabilized the Labour Party; it is the reason they decapitated the PDP and made it an appendage of the ruling party now,” he declared.

No Boycott

When asked if the ADC will follow other opposition parties’ requests to abstain from the 2027 election, Abdullahi replied that the party would never do so.

“We will not engage in a boycott. To boycott is to give up, as I have stated. You create headlines, you boycott, but then what?He remarked.

He went on to say that the ADC will not let millions of Nigerians who have suffered over the past three years down by abstaining from a procedure that could make their lives better.

Legal Context

Gombe filed a lawsuit in September 2025 at the Federal High Court in Abuja, contesting the legitimacy of the NWC headed by David Mark and Aregbesola.

He asserted that Nwosu’s resignation letter was falsified and that he ought to have taken over as leader following Nwosu’s departure.

Citing a court order to preserve the status quo, INEC deleted Mark and Aregbesola’s names as the ADC’s chairman and secretary from its portal last week.

Abdullahi maintains that the David Mark-led ADC came to power through a “clear” and “legal” process.

Adopted as a coalition party in July 2025, the ADC is preparing to run against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.

Prominent politicians including Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rabiu Kwankwaso are among the party’s followers.

Despite what it called the “phantom de-recognition” of the party’s leadership by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigerian Voters Organization (NVO) has urged the African Democratic Congress to move forward with its scheduled congresses and national convention.

in a declaration that Barr signed. The group urged ADC National Chairman David Mark and National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola “not to be deceived” by the electoral body’s decision, which it claimed was intended to interfere with the party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections, according to Jezie Ekejiuba, President of NVO.

The organization said that INEC lacked the jurisdiction to interpret court decisions in a way that would render a party’s leadership structure ineffectual, stating that “from all legal angles the de-recognition… cannot stand the test of legal scrutiny as it is void ab initio.”

NVO also claimed that the action was “a banana peel laid by APC… to scuttle the planned congresses of the ADC” and that it was meant to stop the party from running for office in 2027.

It questioned how INEC could “assume the role of a court of law” in interpreting a status quo decision to indicate a leadership vacuum, given that INEC is a party to an ongoing appeal involving ADC leadership.

According to the statement, “it is absurd for INEC, a co-party in a Civil Court of Appeal process, to assume the role of a court of law and punish a co-party.”

The organization praised the ADC leadership for moving forward with its schedule, pointing out that doing so will allow the party to comply with the Electoral Act, 2026.

The INEC ruling was “politically manipulated and sponsored… and legally void as it is unknown to law,” the statement continued.

Additionally, NVO gave INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan a seven-day deadline to overturn the ruling and step down, threatening legal action if he didn’t.

The group declared that it will collaborate with other interested parties to oppose what it called attempts to create a one-party state in Nigeria.