The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the suspension of official recognition of the rival factions within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing ongoing legal disputes.
In a statement issued by the Commission’s Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu, INEC said it would no longer accept correspondence from either the faction led by David Mark or that of Rafiu Bala.
The electoral body added that it would also refrain from monitoring any meetings, congresses, or conventions organised by the two groups pending the resolution of the matter before the Federal High Court.
INEC said the decision followed its review of a recent Court of Appeal judgment delivered on March 12, which relates to the leadership tussle within the party.
As part of the directive, the Commission disclosed that it would remove the name of David Mark from its official portal in relation to the party’s leadership.
The crisis within the ADC intensified after Bala, a former National Vice Chairman of the party, challenged in court the legitimacy of the caretaker committee led by Mark, including the composition of its National Working Committee.
The development marks a significant escalation in the internal dispute within the ADC, effectively placing the party’s activities on hold in the eyes of the electoral umpire until judicial clarity is obtained.