NIGERIA: Atiku Warns INEC Chairman Over ADC Leadership Crisis As Supreme Court Fixes Hearing Date

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has issued a stern warning to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, declaring that the electoral umpire “will not get away with this illegality” in its handling of the leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress.

Speaking at the ADC national convention held on Tuesday in Abuja, Atiku accused INEC of bias and interference in the internal affairs of the opposition party.

He alleged that the commission is being used to undermine democratic processes and erode the principles Nigerians fought hard to establish after years of military rule. Atiku vowed that the opposition would not remain silent and would resist any attempt to subvert the will of the party and its members.

The strong remarks came amid ongoing controversy over INEC’s decision to withdraw recognition of the leadership structure led by former Senate President David Mark. The commission removed Mark’s name as national chairman and that of Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary from its website, a move the ADC has strongly opposed.

Atiku specifically criticised INEC for what he described as illegal actions and bias in the leadership tussle, insisting that the party followed due process in the emergence of its current executives.

The convention, which attracted prominent opposition figures including Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi and others who have joined the ADC as a coalition platform for the 2027 general elections, served as a platform for the opposition to consolidate ahead of next year’s polls.

In a related development, the Supreme Court has fixed April 22, 2026, for the hearing of an appeal filed by the David Mark-led executives of the ADC over the protracted leadership dispute.

A five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Mohammed Garba, granted an accelerated hearing on the matter. The court directed counsel to the appellants, Jibril Okutepa, to file and serve the appellant’s brief on Wednesday, while respondents were given three days to file their briefs. Any reply brief, if necessary, is to be filed within one day.

The appeal challenges the March 12 judgment of the Court of Appeal, which had dismissed an earlier appeal against a September 4, 2025, ruling by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja. The Federal High Court had refused some injunctive reliefs sought by party chieftain Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is challenging the legitimacy of the Mark-led executive.

David Mark assumed the chairmanship of the ADC in July 2025 following the resignation of the previous executives led by Ralph Nwosu. Nafiu Bala subsequently filed a suit seeking recognition as national chairman, with INEC joined as a defendant. While the substantive suit was pending, the Federal High Court ordered parties to maintain the status quo.

The Court of Appeal later upheld that directive, prompting INEC to derecognise both factions and remove their names from its records.

The Supreme Court’s decision on the appeal is expected to bring clarity to the months-long crisis and determine which leadership structure the electoral body must officially recognise.

The developments have heightened political tensions in the country as opposition parties intensify preparations for the 2027 elections, with questions mounting over the neutrality and credibility o

f the electoral commission.