The Nafiu Bala Gombe- led African Democratic Congress (ADC),has implored the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to respect the status quo and allow him to lead the party in line with its constitution.
The appeal follows INEC’s decision of April 1, 2026, and its refusal to grant a request by the plaintiffs’ solicitors to allow Gombe assume control of the party’s affairs pending the determination of the substantive case before a trial court.
Gombe explainef the appeal drew the Commission’s attention to an order of the Court of Appeal in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026.
He said INEC should respect existing court orders and the party’s constitution in resolving the ongoing leadership crisis.
He added: “In our appeal, we draw INEC’s attention to the Order of the Court of Appeal in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026, which explicitly directed the Commission to refrain from taking any step or doing any act capable of foisting a fait accompli on the court or otherwise rendering nugatory the proceedings before the trial court, having regard to all the processes filed.
“We call on INEC to respect the status quo as it stood on September 2, 2025, to adhere strictly to the African Democratic Congress constitution, and to comply fully with the court order by allowing Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe to take over the leadership of the party in line with the party’s constitution.
“We also welcome INEC’s decision not to recognise the faction led by His Excellency Senator David Mark, and we reiterate our unwavering commitment to a better Nigeria and a fully democratic dispensation.”
