David Mark Leadership Crisis: INEC Awaits Certified Court Judgment Before Taking Action

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may meet next week to consider the leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC), although the commission has stressed that no definite date has been fixed for a meeting or decision on the matter.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, disclosed that the commission was yet to receive the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the court judgment that nullified the party’s National Working Committee led by Senator David Mark.

Speaking with journalists on Wednesday, Haruna explained that INEC had received the ADC’s appeal against the ruling and its application for a stay of execution but was still awaiting the certified judgment.

He said the court document was necessary for the commission to properly consider the legal and administrative implications of the ruling.

Haruna maintained that as of Tuesday night, the commission had not received the CTC, reiterating that only the appeal and application for a stay of execution had been submitted.

When asked when INEC would decide on the matter, the national commissioner explained that the issue would first be discussed at a meeting of the commission.

He disclosed that INEC Chairman was away on official engagement and expected to return on Sunday. According to Haruna, the commission usually holds its meetings on Thursdays, although meetings can also take place on Tuesdays.

He suggested that the chairman’s return could make it possible for the commission to meet on Tuesday or Thursday next week, but emphasised that no date had been formally confirmed.

Meanwhile, members of the Forum of ADC Candidates and United Friends for Atiku (UFFA) have petitioned the United States Embassy and the United Nations over what they described as alleged judicial bias in the handling of the party’s leadership dispute.

The groups also staged a protest at the Federal High Court in Abuja over the reported delay in releasing the Certified True Copy of the judgment that nullified the David Mark-led National Working Committee.

In a protest letter dated November 10, 2026, the members said they disagreed with the ruling delivered on November 5 but had chosen to challenge it through lawful and constitutional procedures.

Speaking during the protest, the group’s coordinator, Audu Aliyu, said the party remained committed to pursuing its grievances through the appropriate legal channels.

Aliyu claimed that the party’s legal representatives applied for the certified judgment immediately after it was delivered and made the necessary payment. However, he alleged that repeated visits to the court registry had not resulted in the release of the document as of Tuesday morning.

He also questioned why some individuals were allegedly putting pressure on INEC to act on a judgment that had reportedly not been made available to the affected party.

The group argued that withholding the certified judgment from the party while allegedly using it to influence INEC could undermine its constitutional right to appeal the decision.

In its petition, the group warned that delays in the administration of justice could have serious implications for democracy, arguing that access to justice and the right to challenge court decisions must be protected.

Despite its complaints, the group said it retained confidence in the judiciary, stressing that its protest was intended to defend the rule of law rather than undermine the institution.

Aliyu further disclosed that copies of the petition had been sent to President Bola Tinubu, the National Judicial Council (NJC), the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the President of the Court of Appeal, ECOWAS, the European Union, the United Nations and United States embassies.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the ADC leadership crisis remains unresolved as INEC awaits the certified court judgment before considering its next course of action.