Former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Prof Chidi Odinkalu has claimed that INEC’s de-recognition of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as the national chairman and national secretary of the ADC followed a series of high-level engagements among senior electoral commission officials, the Presidency, the Court of Appeal, and the Federal High Court.
On Wednesday, the electoral umpire removed the names of Mark and Aregbesola from its portal, delisting them as the national chairman and national secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), respectively. The commission also stated that it would not recognise Nafiu Bala Gombe, who approached the court seeking to be declared the national chairman.
In a statement issued by its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, INEC explained that its decision is hinged on “preservatory orders” issued by the Court of Appeal in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026 involving Mark and Nafiu Bala Gombe.
The court order directed the commission to maintain the status quo pending the determination of a suit challenging the legality of Senator Mark’s leadership of the opposition party. The electoral body declared that it would suspend recognition of any faction or leadership of ADC pending the final determination of the case before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Odinkalu, in a post on his X handle, on late Wednesday night, claimed that INEC’s controversial move against the top executives of ADC was carried out under extreme duress
Citing “impeccable authority,” he alleged that the appointment of Prof Joash Amupitan as the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was contingent upon a pre-signed resignation letter held by powerful interests. Odinkalu added that “the threat of releasing it did the magic” of compelling the Chairman to issue INEC’s latest interpretation of a court ruling,
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria argued that an electoral body acting in “good faith” would have returned to the appellate court to secure a formal interpretation if any ambiguity existed in the ruling.
“It should be evident to a professor of law and SAN (which the INEC Chairman is) that it is not the business of INEC to interpret the decision of the Court of Appeal,” Odinkalu asserted.
“The country stares down a barrel,” the rights activist warned, adding that the political climate has reached a point where only those willing to “enable” or “dare” the current system would fully understand the stakes involved in the 2027 general election.
